How Many Dogs Can I Legally Own in Missouri?

The area of dog ownership can be an incredibly slippery slope, especially because these animals can be dangerous to others.

There are enough documented cases to show the extent of property damage and physical harm that dogs can cause to both other animals and humans. Some of these incidents even end fatally.

It's not uncommon to hear questions surrounding the limits of dog ownership. The thought pattern is understandable since the expectation would be that more dogs mean less control.

Bear in mind that Missouri is a state of strict liability. Provided there wasn't a reasonable element of protection or unreasonable provocation in the matter, the owner of the dog will usually be responsible for injuries and damage caused by the animal.

So, how many dogs can someone in Missouri own? That's what the information here aims to answer.

State Laws on Ownership Limits

A review of state law shows nothing on the limit on how many dogs a person can own in Missouri.

Considering diminishing returns in control with each subsequent dog, this is a quite concerning situation. There is no denying that owning animals comes with numerous advantages, such as companionship and property protection.

Nevertheless, the danger that they can present should never be overlooked. It is the responsibility of local and state governments to balance the scales where protecting the citizens and allowing dog owners to have their animals are concerned.

While there are no state-level laws on the number of dogs someone can own in Missouri, you will find that different locations have policies that speak to this. For example, there is Saint Louis.

St. Louis Pet Limits

While there is an understanding on the part of Animal Care and Control of the importance that dogs have to many citizens, it must also account for public health and safety. Therefore, in Saint Louis, there may be no more than four domestic animals on a parcel of property in a residential zone district.

The only exception to this rule is if the property owner should get a non-commercial kennel permit and knows the laws regarding chaining dogs.

There are a couple of things to bear in mind here. First, pay attention to the fact that the limit is imposed on each parcel of property instead of on each person. Therefore, even if eight people are living on the property, for example, there may only be four animals.

Furthermore, the policy does not make a specific reference to dogs. So, it's not allowed to have four dogs plus other domestic animals. Instead, the total must not exceed four. Note that the domestic classification includes dogs or cats and their young that are over 6 weeks old.

Prohibited Pets

While several animal variations can contribute to the total number of domestic animals, some others are prohibited within the city limits. Much of this list is made up of known exotic pets.

The list includes coyotes, foxes, wolves, tigers, gorillas, crocodiles, and venomous snakes. Even livestock such as swine, goats, sheep, and cattle, are prohibited in the city.

How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with Dog Bite Cases

Following a dog bite in Missouri, it's essential to get the required medical attention, as well as gather whatever evidence is possible from the scene. St Louis MO dog bite attorneys will assist in evidence collection and building a case to help recover fair compensation.

The attorney will also speak to the insurance company on behalf of the client, which allows for circumventing the tactics such companies will often use to attempt to avoid paying. This will involve a negotiation process that is geared towards seeing the injured party get the maximum compensation possible.

While the intended outcome is to get to a settlement before trial, this is not always the case. Therefore, the attorney will also provide representation throughout the trial if needed.

Reach out to a St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyer Today!

Even people who respect the pet limit will often not take proper care in ensuring that their animals are adequately restrained to prevent harm to others. If someone else’s negligence led to your suffering a dog bite or attack that has left you with an injury, you are likely entitled to a settlement.

Schedule a free consultation with an experienced and competent dog bite lawyer in Saint Louis by reaching out to Powell law firm today at (314) 470-1374.