Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, March 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the standards and
requirements for the permitting and operation of large carnivore
facilities.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The secretary of state has
determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is
incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome
or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be
maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the
public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of
reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text
of the rule is printed here.
(1) Application for Permits and Conditions
for Issuing.
(A) Any individual possessing
and/or breeding large carnivore(s) shall obtain a permit from the Missouri
Department of Agriculture (MDA).
1. A large
carnivore and facility permit application form must be completed and submitted
to MDA.
2. Fee must be paid in
full.
3. One (1) large carnivore
permit is required for each large carnivore.
4. The facility must be inspected by an
inspector prior to obtaining a facility permit and annually
thereafter.
5. The large carnivore
and facility permit must be renewed on an annual basis prior to the expiration
date.
6. Licensee is responsible
for renewing permits and submitting a renewal form.
7. The permit must be obtained within thirty
(30) days prior to acquiring a large carnivore.
(B) The licensee must-
1. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of
age;
2. Have not been found guilty,
or pled guilty to, a violation of any state or local law prohibiting neglect or
mistreatment of any animal or, within the previous ten (10) years, any
felony;
3. Inform the local law
enforcement agencies by written notification that you have obtained a large
carnivore permit;
4. Have each
large carnivore micro-chipped, or the procedure supervised, by a licensed
veterinarian.
A. The microchip number and a
description of the large carnivore must be maintained for the duration of
ownership and for five (5) years post transfer of ownership.
B. The microchip record must be maintained
for one (1) year after the large carnivore is deceased.
C. The microchip record must be available to
MDA or designated authority upon request within twenty-four (24) hours;
and
5. Maintain health
and ownership records of the large carnivore(s) for the life of the large
carnivore(s).
A. The records must list the
description and microchip number of each large carnivore.
B. The records must document any veterinary
services, i.e., physical exams, treatments, euthanasia, etc.
C. The records must document the name,
address, and contact information for any transfer of ownership, i.e., sales and
purchases.
D. The records must
document any natural additions.
E.
The MDA must be notified within seven (7) working days of any change in
inventory.
F. The records must be
available to MDA or designated authority upon request within twenty-four (24)
hours.
G. The records must be kept
for one (1) year after the death or five (5) years after the transfer of
ownership of any large carnivore.
(C) The licensee shall pay the large
carnivore permit fee to the Department of Agriculture.
1. An initial fee of two hundred fifty
dollars ($250) per large carnivore with a maximum of two thousand five hundred
dollars ($2,500) assessed per facility will be assessed for the first
permit.
2. A renewal fee of one
hundred dollars ($100) per large carnivore will be assessed annually provided
the renewal is made prior to lapse of the previous permit.
(D) The licensee must provide the department
the following information prior to receiving an initial/renewal permit and must
notify the department of any changes within thirty (30) days, unless a shorter
time period is noted:
1. Name, address,
telephone, and any pertinent contact information of the permit holder and the
address where each large carnivore will be kept;
2. Name and address of the attending
veterinarian;
3. Microchip
identification number, manufacturing information, and name and address of the
veterinarian inserting the microchip;
4. Provide proof of liability insurance of
not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000);
5. Provide a Disaster Response and Evacuation
Plan;
6. A complete annual
inventory of each large carnivore which includes:
A. Number of large carnivores according to
species;
B. The manufacturer and
manufacturer's number of the electronic device implanted in each large
carnivore. The name and address of the veterinarian who placed the
microchip;
C. The location of each
large carnivore. The licensee must notify the department within ten (10)
business days of a change of address or location where the large carnivore is
kept;
D. A digital color photograph
of each of the large carnivores;
E.
The approximate age, sex, color, weight, scars, and any distinguishing marks of
each large carnivore; and
F. Any
additions or deletions to the group which must reconcile with previous
inventory.
(2) The attending veterinarian must agree to
the following:
(A) Provide a written summary
of the physical examination and documentation of any veterinary services
provided to the licensee;
(B) Place
a microchip and provide information about the manufacturer;
(C) Provide a health certificate when
required for transport;
(D) Collect
the appropriate sample for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) registration;
and
(E) Sign a veterinary care
agreement form.
(3) The
licensee must agree to the following:
(A)
Notification of any death of the large carnivore to the department within ten
(10) working days-
1. Report microchip
identification number to the department;
2. Provide a description (age, color, sex,
etc.) of the deceased carnivore; and
3. Provide a necropsy report if a necropsy
was performed to determine the cause of death;
(B) If a large carnivore escapes or is
released, immediately notify law enforcement and the department via telephone
and follow up with a written statement explaining the circumstances and action
taken within five (5) working days.
(C) Confine the large carnivore(s) in a
primary enclosure as required by the department on the licensee's premises. The
licensee must not allow any large carnivore(s) outside of the primary enclosure
post weaning unless the large carnivore is moved pursuant to any of the
following:
1. To receive veterinary care from
the attending veterinarian;
2. To
comply with the directions of the department or law enforcement officials;
or
3. To transfer ownership and
possession of the large carnivore(s), pending prior approval by the department;
and
(D) Comply with all
state regulations and federal regulations as defined by Title 9,
Code
of Federal Regulations, Part 1, published annually in January, herein
incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule, as published by the
United States Superintendent of Documents, 732 N Capital Street NW, Washington,
DC 20402-0001, phone: toll free (866) 512-1800, DC area (202) 5121800, website:
http://bookstore.gpo.gov.,
regarding housing and transportation. This rule does not incorporate any later
amendments or additions.
1. Any person
transporting a large carnivore must acquire a health certificate and a movement
permit and be in compliance with state regulations and USDA
requirements.
2. The facilities and
standards of care must be in compliance with USDA standards.
(4) If the licensee is
no longer able to care for the large carnivore(s), all of the following apply:
(A) The licensee must notify the department,
stating the planned disposition of the large carnivore(s);
(B) The licensee must dispose of the large
carnivore(s) by transferring ownership and possession to another permit holder,
upon prior approval by the department, or providing for its destruction by
euthanasia as required by the department; and
(C) The disposal of the large carnivore must
be documented by an employee of the department, law enforcement officer, or
attending veterinarian.
(5) The following are not required to obtain
a permit for possessing, breeding, or transporting large carnivore(s):
(A) An animal control shelter or animal
protection shelter that is providing temporary care to a large carnivore for
ninety (90) days or less and has proper facilities to handle the large
carnivore;
(B) A law enforcement
officer or inspector acting under the "Large Carnivore Act";
(C) A veterinarian temporarily in possession
of a large carnivore to provide veterinary care for or humanely euthanize the
large carnivore;
(D) A
circus;
(E) The University of
Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine;
(F) A zoological park that is a part of a
district created under Chapter 184, RSMo; or
(G) Class C licensee under
9 CFR
1.1 that meets the conditions described in
section
578.620,
RSMo.
*Original authority: 578.600, RSMo
2010.