How to Report Animal Cruelty in Missouri: What You Need to Know
June 26, 2026
Animal cruelty happens in every state, and Missouri is no exception. Every year, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force receives more than 20,000 reports of suspected animal abuse or neglect. Behind each of those reports is someone who decided to speak up — a neighbor, a passerby, a concerned pet owner.
If you witness or suspect an animal is being harmed in Missouri, knowing how the system works makes all the difference. This guide walks you through what the law defines as cruelty, who is empowered or required to report it, how to file a report, and what happens once you do. For a broader look at how the state handles these issues, see our overview of animal cruelty laws in Missouri.
What Counts as Animal Cruelty in Missouri
Missouri law draws a clear line between two distinct offenses: animal neglect and animal abuse. Understanding the difference helps you recognize what you are actually witnessing before you make a report.
Animal neglect is covered under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 578.009. A person commits the offense of animal neglect if they have custody or ownership of an animal and fail to provide adequate care, or if they knowingly abandon an animal in any place without making provisions for its adequate care. Neglect requires that the person knowingly allow the harm to continue — simple incompetence alone is not enough to meet the legal standard.
Animal abuse is defined under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 578.012. A person commits the offense of animal abuse if they intentionally or purposely kill an animal in any manner not allowed by law, purposely or intentionally cause injury or suffering to an animal, or if they have ownership or custody of an animal and knowingly fail to provide adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal.
Beyond neglect and abuse, Missouri law also addresses organized cruelty. A person commits the offense of spectating dogfighting if they are knowingly present at any place where preparations are being made for an exhibition of dog fighting, with the intent to be present at such preparations. Dogfighting itself and animal fighting operations carry separate, serious charges.
It is also worth knowing what Missouri law does not consider cruelty. The provisions of Sections 578.005 to 578.023 do not apply to the care or treatment performed by a licensed veterinarian, bona fide scientific experiments, hunting, fishing, or trapping, publicly funded zoological parks, rodeo practices, and several other listed activities as described in Section 578.007. Normal agricultural and husbandry practices are also exempt.
Key Insight: Missouri defines “animal” as every living vertebrate except a human being. This means the protections under the cruelty statutes extend to pets, livestock, and wildlife, not just dogs and cats.
Who Can Report Animal Cruelty in Missouri
Any person in Missouri can report suspected animal cruelty — there is no requirement that you be a witness, a professional, or a resident of the county where the abuse is occurring. Missouri provides a framework for reporting and enforcing animal cruelty laws, and suspicions can be reported to local law enforcement, animal control officers, or organizations like the Missouri Humane Society.
Established in the early 1960s, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force is dedicated to intervening for animals at risk from abuse, neglect, and natural disasters and emergencies in all 114 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis. This means that no matter where in the state you are located, there is a statewide organization that can receive and act on your report.
Your report can be made anonymously in most cases. You may need to provide a witness name and contact number, but it will be treated confidentially unless it is turned over to law enforcement, or a subpoena or court order requires disclosure. If you are uncomfortable giving your name, you can still report what you observed and let investigators take it from there.
If you are concerned about suspected abuse in a licensed dog breeding facility, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office has specific authority in that area. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has authority to enforce certain provisions of the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, and will enforce the law as written, including holding accountable those who continue to violate those state laws and abuse or neglect Missouri’s animals.
Who Is Required to Report Animal Cruelty in Missouri
Missouri does not have a broad mandatory reporting law that applies to all residents. However, certain professionals carry specific legal or regulatory obligations to report suspected cruelty when they encounter it in their work.
Farm animal professionals face one of the clearest mandates under Missouri law. Whenever any farm animal professional videotapes or otherwise makes a digital recording of what they believe depicts a farm animal subjected to abuse or neglect under Sections 578.009 or 578.012, they have a duty to submit that recording to a law enforcement agency within twenty-four hours of making it, and the recording must not be spliced, edited, or manipulated in any way prior to submission.
Veterinarians in Missouri operate under a regulatory reporting requirement. According to the New York City Bar Association’s comparative analysis of state veterinary laws, Missouri’s Code of Regulations (Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20, § 2270-6.011) requires veterinarians to report if abuse or neglect “cannot be resolved through education.” In practical terms, this means a vet who treats an animal showing signs of deliberate harm has a professional obligation to escalate the matter.
Law enforcement officials and animal control officers are authorized to act immediately when they observe evidence of cruelty. Any duly authorized public health official, law enforcement official, or animal control officer may impound any animal found outside of the owned or rented property of the owner or custodian when that animal shows evidence of neglect or abuse.
Important Note: Missouri does not currently have a general mandatory reporting law requiring all citizens to report animal cruelty. Reporting by members of the public is voluntary but strongly encouraged, and your identity can typically be kept confidential.
The connection between animal abuse and human violence is well-documented and shapes how some professionals approach their reporting duties. According to research compiled by MandatedReporter.com, co-incidents of animal abuse and child abuse occur in 60% to 88% of cases. This is why animal welfare investigators and law enforcement in Missouri often coordinate with child protective services and domestic violence agencies when responding to cruelty reports. For a comparison with how neighboring states handle mandatory reporting, see our guides on animal cruelty laws in Illinois and animal cruelty laws in Tennessee.
How to Report Animal Cruelty in Missouri
Missouri offers several reporting channels depending on the type of abuse you are witnessing and where it is occurring. Choosing the right one helps get the appropriate responder to the scene faster.
Statewide Reporting
The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force serves all 114 Missouri counties. You can report suspected abuse or neglect by calling 314-647-4400. This line is available to receive reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The HSMO also accepts reports through their online reporting form.
Dog Breeding Facilities
To report cases of animal abuse specifically in dog breeding facilities, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Program at 573-751-3076. To file a complaint against an animal care facility — such as a commercial dog breeder, rescue facility, broker/dealer, or hobby/show breeder — call the Attorney General’s Canine Cruelty Prevention Hotline at 800-392-8222.
Kansas City
In Kansas City, you can report animal issues to the City’s Animal Services Division by calling 311 (or 816-513-1313) or by using the City’s myKCMO web or mobile app.
St. Louis City
If an animal in St. Louis appears to be in distress or unresponsive between Monday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call Animal Care and Control at (314) 657-1500. For after-hours or weekend reporting, call (314) 231-1212 or 911.
What to Have Ready When You Call
- The exact address or detailed directions to where the animal can be found
- A detailed description of what you observed — the animal’s condition, behavior, and any visible injuries
- The date and time you witnessed the situation
- Any photos or video you were able to capture safely
- Your contact information (optional but helpful for follow-up)
The Humane Society of Missouri recommends that you also call 911 if you witness animal abuse actively in progress. Do not intervene physically — let trained investigators handle the situation.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure which agency to contact for your county, call the HSMO Animal Cruelty Task Force at 314-647-4400. Their investigators cover all 114 Missouri counties and can direct your report to the right local authority.
What Happens After You Report in Missouri
Once you submit a report, the process moves into the hands of investigators and law enforcement. Here is what typically follows.
Once a report is made, law enforcement conducts an investigation by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assessing the condition of the animals. Veterinarians may assist by documenting injuries or neglect to support prosecution efforts. Officers have the authority to seize animals in immediate danger, ensuring their safety during the investigation.
The Animal Cruelty Task Force travels an average of 300,000 miles within Missouri each year to respond to and investigate cases, often leading to the rescue of tens of thousands of animals. Ten professionally trained and experienced investigators work with owners to improve treatment of their animals and with local law enforcement to remove the animals if the situation does not improve.
If an animal is seized, Missouri law sets clear procedures for what happens next. If the owner can be identified and the animal is not diseased or disabled beyond recovery, the animal is held for recovery by the owner. The owner must be notified within five business days of impoundment by phone or mail of the animal’s location and recovery procedures. The animal is held for ten business days, after which an unclaimed animal may be put up for adoption or humanely euthanized.
Groups like the Missouri Humane Society and local shelters work with law enforcement to provide care for animals rescued from abusive situations, offering temporary housing, medical care, and rehabilitation during legal proceedings.
If the abuse involves a licensed breeding facility, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office may file a lawsuit upon substantiating allegations through complaints or referral by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The Office works closely with the Department when taking action against substandard breeders and has worked to shut down numerous unlawful operations and rescue hundreds of animals from inhumane conditions.
Penalties for Animal Cruelty in Missouri
Missouri law sets penalties based on the severity of the offense and whether the person has a prior conviction. The statutes separate neglect from abuse and escalate charges for repeat or extreme conduct.
Animal Neglect Penalties
The offense of animal neglect is a class C misdemeanor unless the person has previously been found guilty of an offense under this section or an offense in another jurisdiction that would constitute a similar offense, in which case it is a class B misdemeanor. All fines and penalties for a first finding of guilt may be waived by the court if the person found guilty shows that adequate, permanent remedies for the neglect have been made, though reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of neglected animals may not be waived.
Animal Abuse Penalties
Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has previously been found guilty of animal abuse, or the suffering involved was the result of torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal was alive, in which case it is a class E felony. A class A misdemeanor conviction could involve jail time of up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Penalty Summary Table
| Offense | First Conviction | Subsequent / Aggravated |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Neglect (§ 578.009) | Class C misdemeanor | Class B misdemeanor |
| Animal Abuse (§ 578.012) | Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year / $2,000 fine) | Class E felony (torture or mutilation, or repeat offense) |
| Canine Cruelty (§ 273.347) | Class C misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
| Spectating Dogfighting (§ 578.26) | Class A misdemeanor | Class E felony (repeat) |
Beyond criminal penalties, courts in Missouri can also order additional consequences. In addition to any penalty imposed, or as a condition of probation, the court may prohibit the offender from harboring animals or residing in any household where animals are present during the period of probation, or order all animals in the offender’s possession subject to a civil forfeiture action.
Animal cruelty laws vary considerably from state to state. If you want to compare Missouri’s approach with other states, you can explore our guides on animal cruelty laws in Ohio, animal cruelty laws in Texas, animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania, and animal cruelty laws in California.
Important Note: The penalty classifications above reflect Missouri statutes as amended through August 28, 2024 (L.2024, S.B. Nos. 754, 746, 788, 765, 841, 887, 861). Always verify current penalty ranges with an attorney or the Missouri Revisor of Statutes for the most up-to-date information.
Reporting animal cruelty is one of the most direct actions you can take to protect animals in your community. You do not need to be certain abuse is occurring — a reasonable suspicion is enough to make a call. The investigators, law enforcement officers, and animal welfare organizations across Missouri are equipped to assess the situation and take appropriate action. Your report could be the reason an animal gets the help it needs. You can also learn more about Missouri’s broader animal welfare framework in our guide to emotional support animal laws in Missouri.