Signed by Governor Jay Nixon

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes standards for the care of canines in animal facilities, including commercial breeding facilities.

Highlights:

• Requires any person having custody or ownership of more than ten female covered dogs for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet to provide the following for each covered dog (Sec. 273.345):
• Sufficient food and clean water;
• Necessary veterinary care;
• Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
• Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely; lie down, and fully extend his or her limbs;
• Regular exercise; and
• Adequate rest between breeding cycles.

• Specifies that the civil penalty for a violation of these standards shall be an amount not to exceed $1000 for each violation and that each violation shall constitute a separate offense (Sec. 273.347).

• Specifies that no person may have custody of more than 50 covered dogs for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet (Sec. 273.345).

• Classifies the crime of canine cruelty as a class C misdemeanor, unless the person has previously pled guilty to or been found guilty of a violation of animal welfare law, in which case, each such violation is a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 273.347).

• Specifies that any person who houses animals in stacked cages without an impervious barrier between the levels of such cages, except when cleaning such cages, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 273.347).

• Increases the license fee for animal facilities, commercial breeders, and dealers from $100-$500 per year to $100-2500 per year for each separate physical facility (Sec. 273.327).

• Requires license holders to maintain all veterinary records and sales records for the last 2 years so that these records may be made available upon request (Sec. 273.345).

• Specifies that the provisions of this act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other state and federal laws protecting animal welfare (Sec. 273.345).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes standards for the care of canines in animal facilities, including commercial breeding facilities.

Highlights:

• Requires any person having custody or ownership of more than ten female covered dogs for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet to provide the following for each covered dog (Sec. 273.345):
• Sufficient food and clean water;
• Necessary veterinary care;
• Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
• Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely; lie down, and fully extend his or her limbs;
• Regular exercise; and
• Adequate rest between breeding cycles.

• Specifies that the civil penalty for a violation of these standards shall be an amount not to exceed $1000 for each violation and that each violation shall constitute a separate offense (Sec. 273.347).

• Specifies that no person may have custody of more than 50 covered dogs for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet (Sec. 273.345).

• Classifies the crime of canine cruelty as a class C misdemeanor, unless the person has previously pled guilty to or been found guilty of a violation of animal welfare law, in which case, each such violation is a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 273.347).

• Specifies that any person who houses animals in stacked cages without an impervious barrier between the levels of such cages, except when cleaning such cages, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 273.347).

• Increases the license fee for animal facilities, commercial breeders, and dealers from $100-$500 per year to $100-2500 per year for each separate physical facility (Sec. 273.327).

• Requires license holders to maintain all veterinary records and sales records for the last 2 years so that these records may be made available upon request (Sec. 273.345).

• Specifies that the provisions of this act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other state and federal laws protecting animal welfare (Sec. 273.345).

Full Bill Text