HCS HB 374 -- MISSING AND STOLEN PETS

SPONSOR:  Relford (Fraser)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation, State Parks, and Mining by a vote of 14 to 2.

This substitute makes it a class C felony to knowingly steal a
pet, law enforcement animal, or rescue animal with intent to
sell it, knowingly purchase a stolen pet, or knowingly remove an
identification marker or tag from a pet without permission.

The substitute also requires the Department of Public Safety to
create an Internet registry where owners may list their missing
or stolen pets.  Anyone purchasing pets for research purposes is
required to examine them for identification marks and search the
registry.  If a match is found, the purchaser must contact the
owner for verification and report suspected stolen pets to a
local law enforcement agency.  Pets sold to licensed dealers for
research purposes must be accompanied by a veterinarian's health
certificate.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
Unknown in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.  Costs will likely be
less than $100,000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that illegal trafficking in pets
used for research purposes is widespread and current enforcement
efforts are inadequate.  By increasing penalties and providing a
registry, the bill will help reduce thefts and protect
legitimate breeders and research facilities.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Fraser; and Marshall
Smith.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it is unnecessary
because current penalties and nation-wide registries provide
adequate protection.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Federation of Animal
Owners; and Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am