[CC 1992 §205.110; Ord. No. 457 §3, 10-11-1988; Ord. No. 1111 §2, 7-29-1999; Ord. No. 1427 §1, 7-15-2005]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
ANIMAL
Any warm blooded carnivorous or omnivorous domestic, wild or exotic animal.
CAT
A cat of either sex or one which has been neutered or spayed.
CITY POUND
Any agency or facility engaged in housing and keeping of animals designated by the Board of Aldermen as an impoundment facility for the City of Platte City, Missouri.
CUSTODY
Any person exercising control over an animal or providing shelter to an animal on premises or controlled by said person.
DOG
All animals of the canine species, both male and female.
EXPOSED TO RABIES
When bitten by, or fought with, or has come in close contact with a dog or other animal shown to be infected with the rabies virus as determined by standard laboratory testing.
HUMANE OFFICER
Any person designated by the Board of Aldermen to perform duties under this Chapter, including any person designated to perform the duties of an Animal Control Officer pursuant to any agreement with Platte County, Missouri, to provide animal control services.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN
Any veterinarian duly licensed under the laws of this State.
OWNER
Any person owning or temporarily keeping or temporarily harboring an animal in addition to its ordinary meaning, any person who keeps or harbors an animal or professes to be owning, keeping, or harboring an animal.
RESTRAINT
A dog is under "restraint":
1. 
If unattended it is on the property of its owner and confined to an area by a fence, chain or other device.
2. 
A dog is under "restraint" if attended by the owner or keeper and it is on a leash or similar device and under the owner's or keeper's immediate and effective control.
TEMPORARILY
No longer than thirty-one (31) days.
VICIOUS ANIMAL
Any of the following animals:
1. 
Any animal, whether or not running at large and whether or not unrestrained, that without provocation has bitten any person not a trespasser causing serious physical injury to that person.
2. 
Any unrestrained animal, whether or not running at large, that without provocation has attempted to bite any person not a trespasser which would cause serious physical injury to that person.
3. 
Any unrestrained animal, whether or not running at large, that without provocation has placed any person not a trespasser in apprehension of immediate serious physical injury.
4. 
Any animal that has killed another dog, cat or other domestic animal without provocation.
[CC 1992 §205.010; R.O. 1979 §11.000]
No person shall keep or allow to be kept upon his/her premises or under his/her control any dog or other animal that is an annoyance or nuisance to any person or is vicious, fierce, dangerous or likely to harm or injure any person or allow such dog or animal to run at large in the City.
[CC 1992 §205.120; R.O. 1979 §11.200; Ord. No. 1427 §1, 7-15-2005]
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 harm to the animal.
B. 
Doghouses and kennels shall be soundly constructed, dry and provided in cold weather with clean bedding.
C. 
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.
D. 
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.
E. 
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.
A. 
A person commits the offense of knowingly releasing an animal if that person, acting without the consent of the owner or custodian of an animal, intentionally releases any animal that is lawfully confined for the purpose of companionship or protection of persons or property or for recreation, exhibition or educational purposes.
B. 
As used in this Section, "animal" means every living creature, domesticated or wild, but not including Homo sapiens.
C. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a public servant acting in the course of such servant's official duties.
Any person in physical possession and control of any animal shall remove excreta or other solid waste deposited by the animal in any public or private area not designated to receive such wastes including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, public parks or recreation areas and private property. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a guide dog accompanying any blind person.