Bill Text: MO HB2280 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Changes the laws regarding the crime of animal neglect

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-05-14 - Refer: Spec Stand Com on Emerging Issues in Animal Agri (H) [HB2280 Detail]

Download: Missouri-2010-HB2280-Introduced.html

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SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 2280

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES TALBOY (Sponsor), COLONA, PACE, NORR, YAEGER, OXFORD, LeVOTA, LOW, MORRIS, LIESE, SPRENG, NEWMAN AND LAMPE (Co-sponsors).

4920L.01I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

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AN ACT

To repeal section 578.009, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to animal neglect, with penalty provisions.

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Section 578.009, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 578.009, to read as follows:

            578.009. 1. A person is guilty of animal neglect when [he] such person has custody or ownership or both of an animal and negligently fails to provide adequate care or adequate control[, which results in substantial harm to the animal].

            2. A person is guilty of abandonment when [he] such person has knowingly abandoned an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.

            3. Animal neglect and abandonment is a class C misdemeanor upon first conviction [and for each offense, punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars, or both,] and a class B misdemeanor [punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or both upon] for the second and all subsequent convictions. All fines and penalties for a first conviction of animal neglect or 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. This section shall not apply to the provisions of section 578.007.

            4. In addition to any other penalty imposed by this section, the court may order a person found guilty of animal neglect or 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.

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