This law makes it a crime to be involved in animal fighting — like bullfighting or cockfighting — with any animal except dogs. A person breaks this law if they run or manage such a place, watch or help at one, or let their property be used for animal fights. This is a class A misdemeanor, which is one of the more serious misdemeanor crimes.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
578.050. and — . — 1. A person commits the of bullbaiting or cockfighting if he or she:
(1) Keeps, uses, or in any way is connected with or interested in the management of, or receives money for the admission of any person to, any place kept or used for the purpose of fighting or any bull, bear, cock, or other creature, except dogs;
(2) Encourages, aids, assists, or is present at any place kept or used for such purpose; or
(3) Permits or any place belonging to him or her, or under his or her control, to be so kept or used.
2. The offense of bullbaiting or cockfighting is a .
(RSMo 1939 § 4789, A.L. 1984 H.B. 1210, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 4397; 1919 § 3653; 1909 § 4857
Effective 1-01-17
(1985) Held, section 578.050, RSMo, is unconstitutionally vague and contravenes the clause of Amendments V and XIV of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Missouri Constitution. State v. Young, 695 S.W.2d 882. (Mo. banc).
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Related Missouri laws
State highway patrol and other law enforcement officers, powers and duties to enforce animal protection
RSMo 578.030
Knowingly releasing an animal
RSMo 578.029
Unlawful removal of an electronic dog collar or radio transmitting device
RSMo 578.028
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
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.