This law is about letting someone else's animal loose on purpose without permission. If a person releases an animal that is being legally kept — like a pet, a guard animal, or an animal used for shows or education — without the owner's okay, that person has broken the law. A public worker doing their official job is not covered by this law. The first time someone breaks this law it is a smaller crime, but if they have done it before it becomes a more serious crime.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
578.029. releasing an animal — . — 1. A person commits the of knowingly releasing an animal if he or she, acting without the of the owner or 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, or educational purposes.
2. As used in this section "animal" means every living creature, domesticated or wild, but not including Homo sapiens.
3. The of this section shall not apply to a acting in the course of such 's official duties.
4. The offense of intentionally releasing an animal is a , unless the has previously been of a violation under this section, in which case it is a .
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Source & history notes
(L. 2001 S.B. 462, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Unlawful removal of an electronic dog collar or radio transmitting device
RSMo 578.028
State highway patrol and other law enforcement officers, powers and duties to enforce animal protection
RSMo 578.030
Causing a dog to pursue a live animal propelled by a device
RSMo 578.027
Spectating dog fighting
RSMo 578.026
Dogfighting
RSMo 578.025
Keeping a dangerous dog
RSMo 578.024
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.