§ 270.260 — Release of swine to live in wild or feral state, penalties.

Missouri § 270.260

• Jurisdiction: Missouri
• Title XVII: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
• Ch. 270: Animals Restrained from Running at Large

Text

1.  Any person who recklessly or knowingly releases any swine to live in a wild or feral state upon any public land or private land not completely enclosed by a fence capable of containing such animals is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and may be sentenced to pay a fine up to two thousand dollars.  Each swine so released shall be a separate offense.

2.  Every person who has previously been found guilty of violating the provisions of this section, committed on a separate occasion where such offense occurred within ten years of the date of the occurrence of the present offense and who subsequently is found guilty of violating this section shall be guilty of a class E felony.  Each swine so released shall be a separate offense.

3.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to criminalize the accidental escape of domestic swine or the release into a facility under a department of conservation permit or to hinder the ability to transport domestic swine to market or slaughter.

4.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the right of an individual to farm or raise livestock.

Legislative History

(L. 2002 H.B. 1348, A.L. 2010 S.B. 795, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2021 H.B. 369)