340.288. Animal deemed abandoned, when, disposal of--immunity--abandoned defined, effect--necropsy authorized, when, disposal of corpse--owner's financial obligation.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

340.288. Animal deemed abandoned, when, disposal of--immunity--abandoned defined, effect--necropsy authorized, when, disposal of corpse--owner's financial obligation.

Animal deemed abandoned, when, disposal of--immunity--abandoneddefined, effect--necropsy authorized, when, disposal ofcorpse--owner's financial obligation.

340.288. 1. Any animal placed in the custody of a licensedveterinarian for treatment, boarding or other care, which is unclaimed byits owner or its owner's agent for more than ten days after written noticeby certified mail, return receipt requested, is sent to the owner orowner's agent at the person's last known address shall be deemed to beabandoned. Such abandoned animal may be turned over to the nearest humanesociety or animal shelter, or otherwise disposed of or destroyed by thelicensed veterinarian in a humane manner.

2. If notice is sent pursuant to subsection 1 of this section, thelicensed veterinarian or any custodian of such abandoned animal is relievedof any further liability for disposal. If a licensed veterinarian followsthe procedures of this section, the veterinarian shall not be subject todisciplinary action under sections 340.200 to 340.330 unless such licensedveterinarian fails to provide the proper notification to the owner orowner's agent.

3. For the purposes of this section, the term "abandoned" means toforsake entirely, to neglect or refuse to provide or perform legalobligations for the care and support of an animal, or to refuse to pay fortreatment or other services without an assertion of good cause. Suchabandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims bythe owner to such animal.

4. If an animal should die while in the custody of a licensedveterinarian for the purpose of treatment, boarding or other care, thelicensed veterinarian may perform necropsy after reasonable attempts tonotify the owner and obtain permission have failed. The licensedveterinarian shall maintain or otherwise store the corpse for a period ofat least three days following such death or three days after notificationto the owner, whichever is longer, after which time the corpse may bedisposed of in any lawful manner.

5. The disposal of an abandoned or deceased animal shall not relievethe owner or owner's agent of any financial obligation incurred fortreatment, boarding or other care provided by the veterinarian.