[CC 1990 § 5-31; Ord. No. 373 § 1, 11-6-1989]
As used in this Article, the following terms mean:
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.
HUMANE KILLING
The destruction of an animal accomplished by a method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Panel on Euthanasia (JAVMA 173; 59-72, 1978) or more recent editions, 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, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate or other legal entity.
A. 
A person commits the offense of animal neglect if he/she or she:
1. 
Has custody or ownership of an animal and fails to provide adequate care; or
2. 
Knowingly abandons an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.
B. 
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. 
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. 
The care and maintenance of neglected 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; and
4. 
The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the neglect of the animals.
A. 
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. 
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. 
A person commits the offense of animal abuse if he/she:
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 which results in substantial harm to the animal.
[1]
Note: Under certain circumstances this offense can be a felony under state law.