A.
A person
is guilty of animal neglect when he/she has custody or ownership or
both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control
which results in substantial harm to the animal.
B.
A person
is guilty of animal abandonment when he/she has knowingly abandoned
an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate
care.
C.
Animal
neglect or animal abandonment are ordinance violations. For a first
(1st) offense of either violation, a term of imprisonment not to exceed
fifteen (15) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00),
or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed. For a second (2nd)
or subsequent violation of either offense, a term of imprisonment
not to exceed ninety (90) days, or a fine not to exceed five hundred
dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment may be imposed.
All fines and penalties for a first (1st) conviction of animal neglect
or animal abandonment may be waived by the court provided that the
person found guilty of animal neglect or abandonment shows that adequate,
permanent remedies for the neglect or abandonment have been made.
Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected
or abandoned animals may not be waived.
D.
In addition
to any other penalty imposed by this Section, the court may order
a person found guilty of animal neglect or animal abandonment to pay
all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1.
The
care and maintenance of neglected or abandoned animals within the
person's custody or ownership;
2.
The
disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's custody
or ownership;
3.
The
reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate area
of the neglect or abandonment; and
4.
The
avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the
neglect or abandonment of the animals.
A.
A person
is guilty of animal abuse when a person:
1.
Intentionally
or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly
exempted from the provisions of Sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030,
RSMo.;
2.
Purposely
or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or
3.
Having
ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate
care or adequate control.
[1]
Note—Under certain circumstances this offense can be
a felony under state law.
[R.O. 2009 § 6.38.040]
The parent or guardian of a minor child is responsible for any
animal owned by, in control of, or harbored by that minor child.
[R.O. 2009 § 6.38.070]
If a person is adjudicated guilty of animal neglect or animal
abuse and the court having jurisdiction is satisfied that an animal
owned by such person would in the future be subject to such neglect
or abuse, such animal shall not be returned to or allowed to remain
with such a person, but its disposition shall be determined by the
court.
[R.O. 2009 § 6.38.090; Ord. No.
5053 §II, 5-1995; Ord. No. 5527 §II, 1-6-2003]
A.
It shall
be unlawful for any person to taunt, torment, tease, strike, interfere
with, endanger, injure, kill or administer to or to subject to any
desensitizing drug, chemical or substance any dog or animal while
being used or employed by any Law Enforcement Officer or personnel
in the discharge of her/his official duty or while such animal is
in any public or private place or is being housed or kenneled in any
public or private place.
B.
Nothing
in this Chapter shall apply to any treatment or care rendered by a
licensed doctor of veterinary medicine at the direction of an agency
of the City. Conviction of the offense shall be a fine of no less
than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
[R.O. 2009 § 6.36.030; Ord. No.
5527 §II, 1-6-2003]
It is unlawful to throw or deposit poisoned meat or any poison
or harmful substance in any street, alley or public place or on any
private premises within the City for the purposes of destroying any
bird, dog, fowl or cat.
