Current Pending Legislation

Missouri Updated 1/30/08

LEGISLATIVE ALERT - MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - BILL INTRODUCED THAT, IF PASSED, WILL EVENTUALLY END BIRD BREEDING AND BIRD KEEPING IN MISSOURI (AS WELL AS END OTHER KINDS OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND KEEPING)
 
BILL SUMMARY:
 
Proposed HB 1847 would require all presently owned "wild" pets (including birds) to be registered and licensed, or the owners risk confiscation of their animals, and if they are confiscated the animals may be euthanized.
 
If the bill passes, no additional "wild" animals may be possessed, sold, imported, or bred in Missouri.
 
Each year all permitted "wild" animals shall be reported by their owners to the State, or fines will be imposed for violations.
 
The proposal includes a blanket prohibition on the breeding of all birds and other "wild" animals.
 
The proposal, if passed, will eventually lead to the total elimination of the private ownership of "wild" animals, including birds, in the State of Missouri.
 
 
MORE DETAIL ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL: 
 
On 1/24/08 a bill was introduced in the State of Missouri "To amend chapter 578, RSMo, by adding thereto six new sections relating to wild animals, with penalty provisions".
 
The proposal includes language that states:   "No person shall knowingly possess, harbor, sell, barter, transfer, exchange, or import any wild animal for use as a pet in the state of Missouri unless" they get a permit to do so under this new law.   Permits are only available to those possessing "wild" animals as of the effective date of the bill.
 
The bill specifically includes all birds in the category of "wild" pets:   "(g) Birds, including parrots, parakeets, finches, doves and pigeons, and canaries; and (h) Any other animal deemed to be a wild animal by department rule".    The bill also includes in the definition of "wild" animals a wide range of other animals, including reptiles, exotic cats, and non-human primates.  
 
The proposal also prohibits the "willful" breeding of "wild" animals, with fines of up to $1,000.00 imposed for violations of this breeding prohibition.    If this bill becomes law, this prohibition will stop the breeding of all pet birds (and other exotic animals) in the State of Missouri.    If an existing "wild" pet animal dies, the language of the bill does not allow the pet to be legally replaced.   As a result, the language of this bill will eventually bring about the elimination of all ownership of "wild" pet animals in the State of Missouri.
 
The bill would require all pet owners of "wild" pets to register their pets with the Missouri State Department of Agriculture, pay a fee for a permit for each animal, and be subjected to a long list of other requirements if they wish to keep their "wild" pets.  
 
The bill provides that if an owner is found to be in violation of these strict rules, their "wild" pet may be seized and euthanized, and the owner may pay fines for each offense (each separate "illegal" animal).
 
 
STATUS:   AS OF 1/30/08 - WATCH
 
As of 1/30/08 this bill has not been set for hearing.   If this bill moves forward, we will ask you for help in defeating it.   Please be prepared to respond if that happens.
 
If you are a Missouri resident and wish to contact your legislator on this issue, you can briefly introduce yourself, let them know that you are a constituent and a voter, and let them know (politely) that you oppose this bill and ask that you be kept informed on the status of this bill.  You can also ask to be kept informed of ALL bills being put forward relating to animals or birds.  Be sure to thank them for their time, ask to be put on their mailing list, and ask to be informed of when they are making "home territory visits" so that you can meet them and hear their presentations.    Let them know you are an interested constituent.
 
 
SUPPORTING LINKS AND INFORMATION:
 
Link to the bill:
http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/bills/HB1847.HTM
 
Link to the Missouri House of Representatives:
http://www.house.mo.gov/
 
Link to list of Missouri House of Representative Members:
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills081/member/memmail.htm
 
 
For further information you may contact Genny Wall, AFA Legislative Vice President
gennygem2@aol.com