Animal neglect
Animal neglect means someone owns or takes care of an animal but does not give it proper food, water, shelter, or care. It also means leaving an animal somewhere without making sure it will be taken care of. This is a small crime, but if the person has been in trouble for this before, the punishment gets worse. A court can make the person pay the costs of caring for the animal, cleaning up, and protecting public health.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
578.009. Animal — penalties. — 1. A person commits the of animal neglect if he or she:
(1) Has or ownership of an animal and fails to provide ; or
(2) an animal in any place without making for its adequate care.
2. The offense of animal neglect is a unless the person has previously been of an offense under this section, or an offense in another which would constitute an offense under this section, in which case it is a .
3. All fines and penalties for a first under this section may be by the court if the person found guilty of animal neglect shows that adequate, permanent for the neglect have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and of neglected animals may not be waived. This section shall not apply to the provisions of section 578.007 or chapter 272.
4. In addition to any other imposed by this section, the court may 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 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.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1983 S.B. 211 § 3, A.L. 1994 S.B. 545, A.L. 1998 S.B. 596, A.L. 2013 S.B. 9, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
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