Animal unit neglect arises when one with custody or ownership fails to provide adequate care of the animals. The offense is a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class A misdemeanor thereafter. Animal unit abuse constitutes a Class B misdemeanor when a person intentionally kills more than five mammal animal units in a manner not authorized by law or intentionally causes injury to the mammals.

Upon conviction of either offense, a court may restrict the defendant's ability to retain custody or ownership of animals for a year, or two years if the defendant has a prior conviction. Additionally, the court may require the defendant to pay reasonable expenses for care of the neglected animals, disposal of any dead or diseased animals, debris clean-up and minimization of other public health risks.

The existing offense for animal neglect, Section 578.009, RSMo, is amended to limit its application to only "companion" pets, however, the requirement that substantial harm must result to the pet has been removed.

Finally, the definitions found in Section 578.005, RSMo, are expanded to include "animal husbandry".

DENISE GARNIER