[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
For the purposes of this Chapter the following terms shall be deemed to have the meaning indicated below:
ADEQUATE CARE
Normal and prudent attention to the needs of an animal, including wholesome food, clean water, shelter and health care as necessary to maintain good health in a specific species of animal.
ADEQUATE CONTROL
To reasonably restrain or govern an animal so that the animal does not injure itself, any person, any other animal, or property.
ANIMAL
Every living vertebrate except a human being.
ANIMAL SHELTER
A facility which is used to house or contain animals and which is owned, operated or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other not-for-profit organizations devoted to the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals.
FARM ANIMAL
An animal raised on a farm or ranch and used or intended for use in farm or ranch production.
HARBOR
To feed or shelter an animal at the same location for three (3) or more consecutive days.
HUMANE KILLING
The destruction of an animal accomplished by a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Panel on Euthanasia, but animals killed during the feeding of pet carnivores shall be considered humanely killed.
OWNER
In addition to its ordinary meaning, any person who keeps or harbors an animal or professes to be owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, firm, company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or other legal entity.
PESTS
Birds, rabbits, or rodents which damage property or have an adverse effect on the public health, but shall not include any endangered species listed by the United States Department of the Interior nor any endangered species listed in the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
A. 
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to:
1. 
Care or treatment performed by a licensed veterinarian.
2. 
Bona fide scientific experiments.
3. 
Hunting, fishing, or trapping as allowed by Chapter 252, RSMo., including all practices and privileges as allowed under the Missouri Wildlife Code.
4. 
Facilities and publicly funded Zoological Parks currently in compliance with the Federal Animal Welfare Act as amended.
5. 
Rodeo practices currently accepted by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association.
6. 
The humane killing of an animal by the owner thereof, the agent of such owner, or by a veterinarian at the request of the owner thereof.
7. 
The lawful, humane killing of an animal by an animal control officer, the operation of an animal shelter, a veterinarian, or law enforcement or health official.
8. 
With respect to farm animals, normal or accepted practices of animal husbandry.
9. 
The killing of an animal by any person at any time if such animal is outside of the owned or rented property of the owner or custodian of such animal and the animal is injuring any person or farm animal but shall not include police or guard dogs while working.
10. 
The killing of house or garden pests.
[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
A person is guilty of animal neglect if the person has custody or ownership or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control of the animal, including, but not limited to, abandoning an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
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 this Chapter.
2. 
Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal.
[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
A. 
Any duly authorized public health official, law enforcement official, or animal control officer may impound any animal when such animal shows evidence of being subject to animal neglect or animal abuse. Any animal so impounded shall be placed in the care or custody of a veterinarian, the appropriate animal control authority or animal shelter.
B. 
If such animal is diseased or disabled beyond recovery for any useful purpose as determined by a public health official or veterinarian, such animal may be humanely killed in lieu of impoundment.
C. 
Any animal so impounded shall be held for recovery by the owner. If the owner can be ascertained, the owner shall be notified within five (5) business days of impoundment by phone or by mail of the animal's location and recovery procedures. The animal shall be held for ten (10) business days. An animal unclaimed after ten (10) business days may be put up for adoption or humanely killed. During the ten (10) day period, the public shall have clear access to inspect or recover the animal through time periods ordinarily accepted as usual business hours.
D. 
The owner or custodian of an animal impounded pursuant to this Section shall be liable for the reasonable costs for the care and maintenance of the animal. Any person incurring reasonable costs for the care and maintenance of such animal shall have a lien against such animal until the reasonable costs have been paid and may put up for adoption or humanely kill any animal if such costs are not paid within ten (10) days after demand. Any money received for an animal adopted pursuant to this Section in excess of costs shall be paid to the owner of such animal, if the owner can be ascertained.
[Ord. No. 997-96-09 §1, 6-6-1996]
If a person is convicted or found guilty or enters a plea of guilty to the offense of animal neglect or the offense of animal abuse, and if the court having jurisdiction is satisfied that an animal owned or controlled 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 person, and shall be put up for adoption or humanely killed as if such animal had been unclaimed.