Bill > HB3304

This bill modifies the offense of keeping a dangerous dog by expanding the definition of what constitutes a serious injury to include "serious emotional injury" and clarifying that a dog can be deemed dangerous if it bites a person or domestic animal without provocation and then bites again, or if it attacks and causes serious physical or emotional injury or death to a human without a prior bite incident. The bill also establishes escalating penalties based on the severity of the attack, ranging from a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense to a Class D felony for an attack resulting in death, and a Class E felony if a dog with a prior history of causing serious injury or emotional injury attacks again. Furthermore, it mandates the seizure and impoundment of dogs involved in such attacks, with a provision for destruction after a ten-day holding period unless the owner appeals the decision to the circuit court, which will then hold a hearing within thirty days to determine the dog's fate and potentially assign costs to the owner. Importantly, the bill exempts owners from liability and prevents dog destruction if the victim was engaged in or attempting to engage in criminal activity at the time of the attack, with specific exceptions for simple trespass and trespass by individuals under twelve years old.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3304&year=2026&code=R