Violations, penalty
These laws cover large carnivores (like big cats or bears). If someone breaks the rules in this set of laws, they can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. If someone does not get the required permit, that is also a class A misdemeanor. If someone on purpose lets a large carnivore loose — not into another person's care — that is a more serious crime called a class E felony. On top of criminal charges, a person might also have to do up to 500 hours of community service or lose the right to own any animal. These penalties do not apply to law enforcement officers, animal control officers, veterinarians, or state agriculture employees who are just doing their jobs.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
578.614. Violations, — exceptions. — 1. Subject to 2 of this section, any person who violates sections 578.600 to 578.624 is guilty of a . Any person who fails to obtain a as required by sections 578.600 to 578.624 is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any person who intentionally releases a except to the care, , and control of another person is guilty of a . In addition, a person who violates sections 578.600 to 578.624 may be punished by one or more of the following:
(1) work for not more than five hundred hours;
(2) The loss of privileges to own or possess any animal.
2. Subsection 1 of this section does not apply to a , , , or of agriculture employee with respect to the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer, animal control officer, qualified veterinarian, or department of agriculture employee under sections 578.600 to 578.624.
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Red section numbers link to that law.
Source & history notes
(L. 2010 S.B. 795, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.