Hallsville Impounding Without Food and Water, Overwork and Cruel Treatment of Animals ordinance (§ 205.120)

A. Any person who shall impound or confine, or cause to be impounded or confined, in any pound, or other place, any animal or creature, and fail to supply the same during such confinement with sufficient food and water, or shall cruelly overwork any domestic animal or shall cruelly drive or work the same when unfit for labor, or shall fail to provide the same with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather, or shall cruelly abandon the same to die, or shall carry or cause the same to be carried, moved or kept in or upon any vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Nothing in this Section shall be construed so as to prevent a person from taking whatever action is necessary to defend himself, another individual or an animal when endangered by an animal attack.

B. The Central Missouri Humane Society shall have the power and be authorized to make recommendation to the Animal Control Officer or his/her authorized representative, that animals be removed from private owners and placed in the custody of said Animal Control Officer or his/her authorized representative in cases where the health or safety of the animal is, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer or his/her representative, in immediate danger. Said Animal Control Officer or his/her representative shall have the power to remove such animals, except from houses, without the consent of the owners, for the protection of the animals, and shall have the right to retain custody of such animals until the threat to the health or safety of the animals, in the opinion of the Animal Control Officer or his/her representative, has been removed. Any expense incurred in such impoundment becomes a lien on the animal impounded and must be discharged before the animal is released from the custody of the Animal Control Officer or his/her representative. Fees for dogs, cats and other small animals shall be consistent with Section 205.060 of this Article. In the case of large animals, private livestock haulers, stables, and other services may be utilized by the Animal Control Officer or his/her representative. The actual cost to the City for these services shall be charged in lieu of the schedule set forth in Section 205.060.

C. When the impounded animal is not claimed by its owner and all impoundment costs satisfied within no less than three (3) days from the date of impoundment, such animal may be sold at public or private sale for fair consideration to a person capable of providing care consistent with this Article, with the proceeds of that sale applied first to discharge of the lien, and any balance to be paid over to the owner. If no purchaser is found, the animal may be disposed of in a manner consistent with Section 205.060 of this Article.

D. Any person who shall interfere with the Animal Control Officer or his/her authorized representative in the performance of his/her duties, as set forth in Subsections (B) and (C) above, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.