HB 3304 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to offenses involving animals

HB 3304 changes penalties for owners of dogs that bite people or animals. It increases penalties based on bite history and severity: a second bite becomes a misdemeanor, serious injury raises it to a higher misdemeanor or felony, and death makes it a felony. The bill requires immediate seizure and destruction of the dog after a bite (with a 10-day hold for appeals), unless the victim was engaged in criminal activity at the time. Dog owners can appeal the seizure in court within 30 days, but the dog remains impounded during the appeal. This directly affects dog owners whose pets bite, and excludes liability if the victim was committing a crime (excluding minor trespassing by children under 12).
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Last action Apr 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced House Committee Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand its scope by repealing two sections instead of one and adding a new offense called 'animal neglect' alongside the existing 'keeping a dangerous dog' offense. This change broadens the legislation to cover general animal welfare issues, not just dangerous dogs, while also updating penalty structures for both offenses.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely addressing dangerous dogs to also addressing general animal neglect, including failure to provide care or control and abandonment of animals.
SCOPE

Added a new offense of 'animal neglect' that covers failing to provide adequate care, control, or abandoning animals, excluding livestock.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated penalties for animal neglect to include fines and potential felony charges for severe outcomes like death or significant property damage.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions requiring courts to order payment for the care, maintenance, and disposal of neglected animals.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill header and section numbering to reflect the addition of the new animal neglect section.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Referred: Judiciary(H)
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Read First Time (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Doyle Justus
Doyle Justus
RRepublican
MO
41