Kingdom City Animal Neglect ordinance (§ 205.090)
Chapter 205: Animal Regulations
In short: Owners or custodians must provide adequate care for their animals, and knowingly abandoning an animal without provisions for its care is illegal. A court may waive fines for a first offense if permanent fixes are made, but not care costs, and may order the guilty person to pay care, disposal and cleanup costs.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
A. A person commits the offense of animal neglect if he/she:
1. Has custody or ownership of an animal and fails to provide adequate care; or
2. Knowingly abandons an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care.
B. All fines and penalties for a first finding of guilt under this Section may be waived by the court if the person found guilty of animal neglect shows that adequate, permanent remedies for the neglect have been made. Reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected animals may not be waived. This Section shall not apply to the provisions of Section 578.007, RSMo., or Chapter 272, RSMo.
C. In addition to any other penalty imposed by Section 578.009, RSMo., the court may order a person found guilty of animal neglect to pay all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for:
1. The care and maintenance of neglected animals within the person's custody or ownership;
2. The disposal of any dead or diseased animals within the person's custody or ownership;
3. The reduction of resulting organic debris affecting the immediate area of the neglect; and
4. The avoidance or minimization of any public health risks created by the neglect of the animals. (RSMo. § 578.009, 2013, 2014 effective 1-1-2017)
Official source: Village of Kingdom City official Code of Ordinances (online), § 205.090
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.