B.Â
All fines and penalties for a first finding
of guilt under this Section may be waived by the court if the person
found guilty of animal neglect shows that adequate, permanent remedies
for the neglect have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the
care and maintenance of neglected animals may not be waived. This
Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007, RSMo.,
or Chapter 272, RSMo.
C.Â
In addition to any other penalty imposed
by Section 578.009, RSMo., the court may order a person found guilty
of animal neglect to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary
for:
1.Â
The care and maintenance of neglected
animals within the person's custody or ownership;
2.Â
The disposal of any dead or diseased
animals within the person's custody or ownership;
3.Â
The reduction of resulting organic
debris affecting the immediate area of the neglect; and
4.Â
The avoidance or minimization of
any public health risks created by the neglect of the animals.
A.Â
A person is guilty of animal trespass if
a person having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails
to provide adequate control for a period equal to or exceeding twelve
(12) hours.
B.Â
For a first conviction of animal trespass,
each offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred
dollars ($200.00). The second and all subsequent convictions shall
be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred
dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment. All fines for
a first conviction of animal trespass may be waived by the court provided
that the person found guilty of animal trespass shows that adequate,
permanent remedies for trespass have been made. Reasonable costs incurred
for the care and maintenance of trespassing animals may not be waived.
This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007
or Sections 272.010 to 272.370, RSMo.
A.Â
A person commits the offense of animal
abuse if he/she:
1.Â
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.Â
Purposely or intentionally causes
injury or suffering to an animal; or
3.Â
Having ownership or custody of an
animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care which results in substantial
harm to the animal.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense
can be a felony under state law.
A.Â
A person commits the offense of knowingly
releasing an animal if he/she, 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.Â
As used in this Section, "animal" means
every living creature, domesticated or wild, but not including Homo
sapiens.
C.Â
The provisions of this Section shall not
apply to a public servant acting in the course of such servant's official
duties.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense
can be a felony under state law.
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.
A person commits the offense of keeping
a dangerous wild animal if he/she keeps 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.