HCS HB 1441 -- LARGE CARNIVORE ACT

SPONSOR:  Myers (Sutherland)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture Policy by a vote of 19 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Large Carnivore Act which
prohibits the owning, breeding, possession, transferring of
ownership, or transporting of "large carnivores," defined as
certain nonnative cats of the Felidae family or any species of
bear except as provided in the substitute.

Any person who owns or possesses a large carnivore is liable in a
civil action for the death or injury of a human or another animal
and for any property damage caused by the large carnivore.  If a
large carnivore escapes or is released intentionally or
unintentionally, the owner is required to immediately notify law
enforcement and is liable for all expenses associated with the
efforts to recapture the large carnivore.

Requirements for the permitting, confinement, handling,
sanitation, feeding, transporting, identification, veterinary
care, seizure, and euthanasia of large carnivores are specified.
The requirements are in addition to any applicable state or
federal law and do not preclude any local political subdivision
from adopting more restrictive laws.  Certain entities, law
enforcement officials, animal control officers, and veterinarians
are exempt from the substitute.

The penalty for violations varies according to the severity of
the offense.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that ownership of a large carnivore
is a privilege not a right; and with that privilege, there must
be responsibilities.  The bill provides a reasonable balance
between public safety and a responsible owner's right to own a
large carnivore.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Sutherland; Scott
Green, St. Charles Animal Control; Feline Conservation
Federation; Carrie Osborne; Eric Miller, St. Louis Zoo; Ingrid
Porton, St. Louis Zoo; and Rosella Baller.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am