S2082.01T

To repeal section 578.012, RSMo 1994, relating to animal abuse, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 578.012, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 578.012, to read as follows:

578.012. 1. A person is guilty of animal abuse when a person:

(1) Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly exempted from the provisions of sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030, RSMo;

(2) Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or

(3) Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care or adequate control.

2. Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has previously plead guilty to or has been found guilty of animal abuse or the suffering involved in subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of this section is the result of torture [and] or mutilation, or both, consciously inflicted while the animal was alive, in which case it is a class D felony.

3. For purposes of this section, "animal" shall be defined as a mammal.