Laws: Missouri ordinances
Laws and ordinances that affect Missouri dog owners
Missouri dog owners and guardians need to be informed and made aware of the various laws and ordinances that are in place through out the state of Missouri. These laws are, in some cases simple and straight forward, but overall they are complicated and contain multiple parts.
Owners are liable when... --read document
Missouri dog bite law. --read article1 and --read article2
Regulation and Control of dogs in Missouri municipalities. --read document
Missouri Agriculture's, Dogs and Cats - Animal Care Program. --read document
Rules of Department of Agriculture.
Division 30-Animal Health. Chapter 9-Animal Care Facilities. --read document
Missouri Statutes. Agriculture and Animals. --read document
Missouri Animal Care Program, License/registration application. --view form
Missouri
Leash Laws
Missouri does not have a statewide leash law. However, many municipalities require the restraint and supervision of dogs and other animals. AND even though many communities or counties in Missouri do not have leash laws, there is an “adequate control” law in Missouri. -- 578.012 RSMo (2000). Section 578.005 defines adequate control as requiring an owner to reasonably restrain or govern an animal so that it does not injure itself, another animal, a person or a property.
This means that if an animal is running loose and gets shot, hit by a car, attacks another animal, or chases children or livestock, for instance, then the owner may be criminally liable. It also does not mean the animal has to be off its own property for this to take effect. If an animal is chained out and jumps a fence or falls down a hill and hangs itself, the owner also may be in violation of adequate control laws. --(source: Missouri Attorney General) video clip: Missouri Leash Laws
Licensing Laws
Missouri state laws require that all dogs be licensed and wear proof of licensure at all times. Proof of vaccination against Rabies must be presented at time of licensing. Check with your local government offices for age and pricing regulations. --Missouri state laws
Statutes
Missouri statues that comprise the state's dog laws. Among the provisions, see included laws for impounding loose dogs, licensing, rabies control, and the Animal Care Facilities Act, which regulates commercial breeders/pet shops.) --Missouri state laws
Missouri General Assembly documents
http://www.moga.mo.gov/ and click the 'Statue/Constitution' button.
Leash Laws by city and county
Bridgeton: city of
Dogs and cats may not be allowed to run at large. They must be licensed annually and must be immunized against rabies. Call the Animal Control Officer at 739-7557 about questions or problems concerning animals. --(source: Residents, Pet License)
Ferguson: city of
Owners in Ferguson (Sec. 6-5) and St. Louis (10.04.140) may not allow their dogs to run at large (off leash). --(source)
Joplin: city of
The leash law requires dogs, when outdoors, to be kept in a fenced yard or leashed. Annual rabies shots and permits are also required. Animal Control Officers patrol streets to pick up stray dogs and dead animals, which are taken to the Animal Shelter. For information, call (417) 623-6122 (after hours or weekends, call (417) 623-3131). --(source: Animals & Pets)
Kirkwood: city of
(Ord. No. 8570, §1, 12-5-96)
Sec. 4-53. Running at large—Generally.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat whether properly tagged and certified by vaccination—registration or not, to permit or allow such dog or cat to run at large. The provisions of this section shall not apply to dogs being used in hunting, field trials and dog shows while on public lands set aside for these purposes, while on the private property of others with the actual, implied, customary or constructive consent of the owner of such private premises, or while on federal, state, municipal or county roads or highways, while going to or coming from a hunting, field trial or dog show site. Nor shall the provisions or prohibition of this section apply to bloodhounds or other dogs used for tracking in conjunction with police activities, nor to dogs of the Canine Corps of any police force of the City of Kirkwood, City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, any federal law enforcement agency, or the armed forces of the United States, while being used to conduct official business or being used for official purposes. (Ord. No. 6066, § 2, 1—6—77) --(source: Article II, Domestic Pets)
Maryville: city of
Maryville has a leash law requiring dogs to be confined to your premises or under your restraint at all times. If not, the dog is subject to be picked up and impounded at the Nodaway Animal Shelter. A summons may be issued to the dog owner for violation of the Leash Law. --(source: Dog Licenses/Leash Law)
St. Louis: city of
In St. Louis city proper, it is required that dogs be on a leash whenever they are on a city street, on a sidewalk, in a park, or in any other public area. --(source: St. Louis City Ordinance 66384) video clip: Missouri Leash Laws
Webster Groves: city of
The City requires dogs to be leashed when off the premises of their owners. Cats are not allowed off the premises of their owners. --(source: Webster Groves website)
Jefferson County
Dogs and Cats are prohibited from running at large. Jefferson County ordinances prohibit dog and cat owners, harborers or keepers from allowing their animals from running at large. Running at large means allowing the animal to free-roam, without physical restraint by its owner, when it is off of the owner, harborer or keeper's property. Missouri state law requires animal owners to provide “adequate control” over their animals to ensure the animal cannot pose a threat to a person, another animal, or itself; or cause damage to personal property. Animals allowed to run at large are not “adequately controlled,” which is a violation of county ordinance and state law.
Jefferson County also has a “leash law” that requires that dogs and cats, when off of the property of their owners, must be under the physical restraint of a leash, tether, leader or other form of physical restraining device. --(source: Jefferson County, Rules of Pet Ownership)
St. Louis County Parks
It’s up to you to be a responsible pet owner and treat others with courtesy. Obey a few simple rules so you, your pet and other park visitors can enjoy the parks. --source
• Responsible pet owners keep their pet on a leash in order to protect their pet and not damage property or disturb other visitors. (full details Domestic Animals At Large, see below.)
• Responsible pet owners remove their pet’s waste in trash receptacles. Many parks have Mutt Mitts provided for this purpose.
• Make sure your pet has its’ current rabies tag/ID tag on in case it gets separated from you.
• Responsible pet owners don’t leave their pet locked up in a car (even when the windows are opened) due to sudden temperature changes.
• Only Service Dogs are permitted in wildlife management areas, museums, stables, farms or historical areas. Domestic animals are not permitted in playgrounds, spray pools, shelters or picnic pavilions. Domestic animals are prohibited at Lone Elk Park (wildlife management area).
St. Louis County Parks Ordinance
616.140 DOMESTIC ANIMALS AT LARGE – PROHIBITED - EXCEPTIONS
1. No person shall bring a domestic animal into a County Park, nor shall any person walk, play with, feed, or be in the company of a domestic animal in any park except as follows:
i. Domestic animals other than horses may be in a County Park when fastened to a leash, cord, or rope, not in excess of six (6) feet when the animal is in fact controlled by a person holding the leash, cord or rope and preventing the animal from damaging the park or threatening or annoying any other person or animal. St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation may make a written exception to this ban for special events that have been approved by the Director.
ii. Persons controlling horses may bring such horses into County Parks on bridle paths where the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation has established a bridle path. Persons controlling horses may use a specific portion of a County Park where no bridle path exists, if the Director of Parks and Recreation grants permission to said persons in writing.
iii. No person shall bring a non-domestic animal or exotic animal into any County Park. This ban shall include but not be limited to primates, bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes, venomous reptiles, constrictor reptiles and any crossbreed of such animals. Wildlife as it exists in County Parks does not fall under this ordinance. St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation may make a written exception to this ban for special events that have been approved by the Director of the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation.
No person shall bring a domestic or non-domestic animal into a County Park designated as a wildlife management area, museum, stable, farm, or historical area. Domestic animals are prohibited from entering any public building, barn, playground, spray pool, shelter or picnic pavilion within a County Park, except for assist dogs for the disabled or for special events that have been approved by the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation. (O. No. 17316, 12-7-94)
Other Laws Affecting Dog Owners
Pooper Scooper Laws
St. Louis County -- Missouri Dog Resource Guide --(read all)
Hazelwood (Sect. 210.100), Ferguson (Sect. 6-6), and St. Louis (Sect. 10.04.310) both require that owners clean up any waste left by their pets when on public or private property not their own.
Food service, preparation, handling Ordinances that refer to dogs and animals
State of Missouri -- Website index -- http://health.mo.gov/safety/foodsafety/index.php
Missouri Food Code (source)
Chapter 1: Purpose and Definitions.
(74) "Service animal" means an animal such as a guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.
Chapter 2: Management and Personnel.
Animals
2-403.11 Handling Prohibition.
(A) Except as specified in (B) of this section, food employees may not care for or handle animals that may be present such as patrol dogs, service animals, or pets that are allowed as specified in Subparagraphs 6-501.115(B)(2)-(5).
(B) Food employees with service animals may handle or care for their service animals and food employees may handle or care for fish in aquariums or molluscan shellfish or crustacea in display tanks if they wash their hands as specified under § 2-301.12 and 2-301.14(C).
Chapter 3: Food
6-501.115 prohibiting animals.*
(A) Except as specified in (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the premises of a food establishment.
(B) Live animals may be allowed in the following situations if the contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles can not result:
(1) Edible fish or decorative fish in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ice or under refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems;
(2) Patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas;
(3) In areas that are not used for food preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as dining and sales areas, service animals that are controlled by the disabled employee or person if a health or safety hazard will not result from the presence or activities of the service animal;
(4) Pets in the common dining areas of group residences at times other than during meals if:
(a) Effective partitioning and self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from food storage or food preparation areas,
(b) Condiments, equipment, and utensils are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present, and
(c) Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service; and
(5) In areas that are not used for food preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly restricted, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals.
(C) Live or dead fish bait may be stored if contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles can not result.
St. Louis County
http://www.stlouisco.com/Portals/8/docs/Health/Food%20Center/SLCDOH%20Food%20Code.pdf
Chapter 6 Physical Facilities
6-501.115 Prohitibing Animals.*
(A) Except as specified in (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the PREMISES of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT.
(B) Live animals may be allowed in the following situations if the contamination of FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES can not result:
(1) Edible FISH or decorative FISH in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ice or under refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems;
(2) Patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas; 178
(3) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as dining and sales areas, SERVICE ANIMALS that are controlled by the disabled EMPLOYEE or PERSON, if a health or safety HAZARD will not result from the presence or activities of the SERVICE ANIMAL;
(4) Pets in the common dining areas of institutional care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, or residential care facilities at times other than during meals if:
(a) Effective partitioning and self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from FOOD storage or FOOD preparation areas,
(b) Condiments, EQUIPMENT, and UTENSILS are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present, and
(c) Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service; and
(5) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly confined, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals.
(C) Live or dead FISH bait may be stored if contamination of FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES can not result
St. Louis City
Ordinance 68597, pertaining to food preparation and handling… (search for the words, animal, pet, dog). http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/cco/ords/data/ord8597.htm
5. Chapter 6
(d) delete 6-501.115 and insert in lieu thereof the following:
6-501.115 Prohibiting Animals
(A) Except as specified in (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the PREMISES of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT or GROCERY STORE.
(B) Live animals may be allowed in the following situations if the contamination of FOOD, clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS, and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES cannot result:
(1) Edible FISH or decorative FISH in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ICE or under refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems;
(2) Patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas;
(3) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as dining and sales areas, SERVICE ANIMALS that are controlled by the disabled EMPLOYEE or PERSON, if a health or safety HAZARD will not result from the presence or activities of the SERVICE ANIMAL;
(4) Pets in the common dining areas of institutional care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, or residential care facilities at times other than during meals if:
(a) Effective partitioning and self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from FOOD storage or FOOD preparation areas,
(b) Condiments, EQUIPMENT, and UTENSILS are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present, and
(c) Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service;
(5) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation, storage, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly confined, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals; and
(6) Dogs in outdoor patio establishments that meet all requirements of Ordinance 67611.
(C) Live or dead FISH bait may be stored if contamination of FOOD, clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS, and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES can not result
Ordinance 67611, pertaining to food service establishments...
The word DOG appears 12 times. http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/cco/ords/data/ord7611.htm