Death or injury of a human by animal, liability of owner
If someone owns or keeps a large carnivore (like a lion or tiger), they are responsible for paying for any death, injury, or property damage that animal causes. They must carry at least $250,000 in liability insurance and prove it every year. If the animal gets out or is let go, the owner must call law enforcement right away and pay all costs to get the animal back.
578.610. Death or injury of a human by animal, of owner — required — escape or of animal, notification required. — 1. Any person who owns or possesses a is in a for the death or injury of a human and for property damage, including but not limited to the death or injury of another animal, caused by the large carnivore. Sections 578.600 to 578.624 do not limit the of the owner of a large carnivore for the death or injury of a human or for property damage caused by the large carnivore.
2. Any person who owns or possesses a large carnivore shall maintain liability insurance in an amount of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars. Each person subject to the of this shall provide to the on an annual basis that such liability insurance is being maintained.
3. If a large carnivore escapes or is released, intentionally or unintentionally, the person who owns or possesses the large carnivore shall immediately contact law to report the loss, escape, or release. The person who owns or possesses the large carnivore is liable for all expenses associated with efforts to recapture the large carnivore that is released or escapes.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2010 S.B. 795)
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.