The Missouri Agriculture Policy Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, February 2, that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the accused are treated as innocent until proven guilty, and to protect any dogs that are seized and held during a trial.
Missouri dog owners are encouraged to contact the Agriculture Policy Committee and express support for House Bill 630. Scroll down for more information on how to comment.
HB 630 Bill Summary:
House Bill 630 provisions include:
- Only allowing law enforcement officers to obtain a warrant to inspect, care for, or confiscate neglected or abused animals. The officer must appear at a hearing within 10 days of the confiscation for the purpose of granting immediate disposition of the animals (current law requires a hearing within 30 days of when a request is filed).
- Expanding current law to allow animals to be placed during a trial with a third party approved by the court (current law allows placement only with veterinarians or animal control). This could allow for dogs to be placed with co-owners or other responsible parties during a trial. It ensures the care of the animals while alleviating burdens on shelters.
- Prohibiting animals from being sterilized during an ongoing trial, unless necessary to relieve that animal’s suffering.
- Ensuring that animals receive proper care as determined by state law and regulations. The facility or organizations caring for the animals are liable to owner for damages resulting from negligent acts or abuse that occur while the animals are in their care.
- Clarifying that within 72 hours after the disposition hearing, the owner may post a reasonable bond or security to cover the animal’s care, so long as it is consistent with the fair market cost of boarding an animal in an appropriate retail boarding facility. If the owner is found not guilty or charges are dropped, the costs of care must be paid by the confiscating agency. Further under current law, if the owner did provide sufficient bond and is ultimately acquitted, the animals will be returned to them.
AKC supports this bill, which protects both the health and safety of animals seized and the rights of owners, unless and until proven guilty.
What You Can Do:
- Register to testify at the February 2 hearing in support of House Bill 630. Complete the online form to register.
- Contact the House Agriculture Policy Committee prior to their hearing, and ask them to support this bill that protects dogs and the rights of dog owners. If you are a constituent of a committee member, click the link below to directly contact your legislator.
Mike Haffner, Chair (Cass County)
573-751-3783
Mike.Haffner@house.mo.gov
Rep. Kurtis Gregory, Vice Chair (Lafayette, Saline Counties)
573-751-2204
Kurtis.Gregory@house.mo.gov
Rep. Emily Weber, Ranking Minority Member (Kansas City)
573-751-4485
Emily.Weber@house.mo.gov
Rep. Mazzie Boyd (Caldwell, Daviess, Worth Counties)
573-751-4285
Mazzie.Boyd@house.mo.gov
Rep. Donnie Brown (Pemiscot, New Madrid Counties)
573-751-4085
Donnie.Brown@house.mo.gov
Rep. Danny Busick (Sullivan, Adair, Mercer, Putnam Counties)
573-751-3647
Danny.Busick@house.mo.gov
Rep. Doug Clemens (St. Louis)
573-751-1832
Doug.Clemens@house.mo.gov
Rep. Dane Diehl (Bates, Vernon, Cedar Counties)
573-751-4065
Dane.Diehl@house.mo.gov
Rep. Jeff Farnan (Atchison, Gentry, Holt Counties)
573-751-9465
Jeff.Farnan@house.mo.gov
Rep. Yolanda Fountain Henderson (St. Louis County)
573-751-4468
Yolonda.FountainHend@house.mo.gov
Rep. Kent Haden (Callaway, Monroe, Audrain Counties)
573-751-3649
Kent.Haden@house.mo.gov
Rep. Willard Haley (Morgan, Cooper, Moniteau Counties)
573-751-2077
Willard.Haley@house.mo.gov
Rep. Doyle Justus (Lincoln County)
573-751-9459
Doyle.Justus@house.mo.gov
Rep. Jeff Knight, Sponsor of HB 630 (Dallas, Camden, Laclede Counties)
Phone: 573-751-1490
Email: Jeff.Knight@house.mo.gov
Rep. Cameron Parker (Dunklin, Pemiscot, Butler Counties)
573-751-3629
Cameron.Parker@house.mo.gov
Rep. Adrian Plank (Boone County)
573-751-1501
Adrian.Plank@house.mo.gov
Rep. Brad Pollitt (Pettis County)
573-751-9774
Bradley.Pollitt@house.mo.gov
Rep. Dean Van Schoiack (De Kalb, Clinton, Andrew Counties)
573-751-3666
Dean.Vanschoiack@house.mo.gov
Eric Woods (Clay County)
573-751-2199
Eric.Woods@house.mo.gov
Rep. Yolanda Young (Kansas City)
Phone: 573-751-3129
Email: Yolanda.Young@house.mo.gov
AKC Government Relations and the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MoFed) continue to closely monitor these and all legislative bills in Missouri impacting dog owners. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or MoFed at kjeeper@gmail.com.