JEFFERSON CITY — Members of the Missouri General Assembly voted Wednesday to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 844, a measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, to shield responsible livestock owners from civil liability if their animals escape through no fault of their own. The Legislature overrode the veto by a vote of 114-40 in the House and 24-7 in the Senate.
“A livestock owner can do everything right, yet through no fault of their own, their animals can still escape,” said Sen. Parson. “In cases where an animal owner had no control over their livestock getting loose, the owner should not be held liable for the damages.”
Under current state law, if any livestock breaks through a fence or trespasses onto another’s property, the owner of such animal is strictly liable for damages sustained by the animal to another’s property. Under SB 844, the owner of such animal will only be liable for damages sustained to another’s property if the animal owner was negligent.
“Senate Bill 844 in no way allows a livestock owner to be neglectful, it simply brings greater fairness to our state law and protects responsible livestock owners,” added Sen. Parson. “I’m proud to have sponsored this important measure on behalf of Missouri’s agricultural community, and I’m very pleased the Legislature voted to overrode the governor’s veto.”
For more information on Sen. Parson’s sponsored legislation, visit his official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/parson.