Hallsville Animal Trespass ordinance (§ 205.310)
Chapter 205: Animal Regulations · Article II. Additional Animal Regulations
In short: If you own or keep an animal and knowingly fail to control it for 12 hours or more, you can be fined up to $200 for a first conviction, and up to $500, jail, or both after that. The court may waive a first fine if you've made permanent fixes, but not the animal's care costs.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
A. A person is guilty of animal trespass if a person having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate control for a period equal to or exceeding twelve (12) hours.
B. For a first conviction of animal trespass, each offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). The second and all subsequent convictions shall be punishable by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment. All fines for a first conviction of animal trespass may be waived by the court provided that the person found guilty of animal trespass shows that adequate, permanent remedies for trespass have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of trespassing animals may not be waived. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007 or Sections 272.010 to 272.370, RSMo.
Official source: City of Hallsville official Code of Ordinances (online), § 205.310
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.