The parent or guardian of a minor child is responsible for the adequate care of any animal owned by, in the control of, or harbored by that minor child.
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in the City, the Mayor shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a quarantine order requiring every owner or person in charge of any dog or dogs within the limits of the City to either kill or impound his/her dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially publishing the business of the City; and in the absence of such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property. The Mayor is authorized by proclamation to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his/her judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.
No person may keep any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, non-human primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight (8) feet long, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge.
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.
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.
[Ord. No. 582, 9-12-2017; Ord. No. 597, 9-8-2020]
A. 
Whereas the City of Belle herby designates and appoints the Dog Catcher of the City of Belle to perform functions provided for in the City dog ordinances and designate the City dog kennel as the facility for housing such dogs as designated.
1. 
The Dog Catcher shall have the right to enter upon any premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of discharging the duties imposed upon him/her by the City dog ordinances where there is a reasonable belief that a violation of the City dog ordinances has been committed.
2. 
The Dog Catcher shall notify the City Marshal when a citation shall be issued by the City Marshal to any owner or person found violating any provisions of the City dog ordinances.
3. 
The Dog Catcher shall not carry a gun or taser.
4. 
The Dog Catcher shall be authorized and empowered to enforce and administer the City dog ordinances by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Belle, Missouri.
5. 
The elected Marshal shall serve as Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Belle.
a. 
In the absence of an appointed Dog Catcher, the elected Marshal shall perform the full duties of Dog Catcher until such time as one is appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
(1) 
As such the elected Marshal shall be responsible for the enforcement of all City Ordinances pertaining to animals in the City Code Book.