The Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources will consider a bill tomorrow that would make several positive changes to the state's laws regarding animal seizure laws.
Among these changes is a provision stating that no animal may be intentionally euthanized or sterilized until legal proceedings have been concluded.
Missouri dog owners and breeders are encouraged to contact the Senate committee members and respectfully ask them to support this bill that will help ensure the rights of dog owners are protected. Scroll down for hearing and committee contact information.
Summary:
House Bill 1444 makes several changes to the state's animal seizure laws, including:
- Prohibiting sterilization during the trial unless medically necessary.
- Clarifying procedures regarding payments for animal care – The bill clarifies that bonds to pay for the care of animals must be reasonable and are only required for the period from the end of the disposition hearing until a final judgment is reached. If the charges are dismissed or the owner is acquitted, the owner is not liable for any costs relating to the care or housing of the animal while the charges were pending.
- Establishing penalties for unauthorized sterilization or euthanasia – Anyone who sterilizes or euthanizes a seized animal except when deemed medically necessary is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. Each animal constitutes a separate offense. A second or subsequent violation would result in a class A misdemeanor.
- Requiring proper care for impounded animals as determined by state law for that specific animal. Likewise, impounding organizations will be liable to the animal's owner for damages for any acts of negligence or abuse to the animal that occur while the animal is within that organization's care or custody.
AKC Government Relations believes House Bill 1444 makes appropriate and positive changes to the state's animal seizure laws and ensures that the rights of dog owners are protected throughout any legal proceedings.
How You Can Help:
Contact the members of the Senate Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources Committee and respectfully ask them to support House Bill 1444.
Contact information is as follows:
Senator Brian Munzlinger, Chair
Phone: (573) 751-7985
Fax: (573) 522-3722
E-mail Form
Senator Mike Parson
Phone: (573) 751-8793
E-mail: mparson@senate.mo.gov
Senator Dan Brown
Phone: (573) 751-5713
Fax: (573) 751-0733
E-mail: Dan.Brown@senate.mo.gov
Senator Chuck Purgason
Phone: (573) 751-1882
Fax: (573) 526-4716
E-mail: Chuck.Purgason@senate.mo.gov
Senator Bill Stouffer
Phone: (573) 751-1507
Toll-Free: (866) 768-3987
Fax: (573) 751-9764
E-mail: bstouffer@senate.mo.gov
Senator Victor Callahan
Phone: (573) 751-3074
Fax: (573) 751-4551
E-mail Form
Senator Ryan McKenna
Phone: (573) 751-1492
E-mail Form
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates as they become available. For more information, contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
The Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources will consider a bill…