Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and the content of this article is for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. If you have specific legal questions or concerns, please consult with a licensed attorney in Missouri.

Missouri, known for its majestic Gateway Arch, the rolling Ozark Mountains, and its rich musical heritage in blues and jazz, also faces a less celebrated issue: stray dogs. These dogs, often found wandering in both urban and rural areas, face a life of uncertainty and hardship. The state of Missouri provides a diverse backdrop for the issue of stray dog welfare. It has specific laws and procedures for dealing with stray animals. These laws exist for the welfare of the dog and to respect the rights of its potential original owner. The key question is: How long before a stray dog is legally yours in Missouri?

How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Missouri?

How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Missouri?

If you find a stray dog in Missouri and surrender it to animal control, you can legally adopt it in 7 days. In St. Louis, stray dogs will be held for only 5 days. In some areas like Kansas City, there is a process to bypass animal control and claim legal ownership after one year.

The 7-day animal shelter holding period is mandated by the state in section 273.100 of their revised statues. The steps to legally adopting a stray dog while skipping the animal shelter are outline in Chapter 271 of those same statutes.

These steps include giving a 30-day public notice within two days of finding the dog and posting notices. If the original owner doesn’t reclaim the dog within this year, the dog legally becomes yours.

Unlike in neighboring Arkansas, where surrendering the dog to animal services is the primary route, Missouri law provides a detailed process for individuals who find and want to claim ownership of a stray dog.

However, note that this is a state-level rule. Local municipalities have the right to make different rules that you must adhere to.

If you find a stray dog in Missouri, you have two options: surrender the dog to animal services or keep the dog.

Surrendering Stray Dogs To Animal Services In Missouri

If you surrender the dog to animal services, it will be held for at least 1 week (7 days)  (273.100). This gives the rightful owner time to reclaim their dog. If they have not claimed their dog within the one-week holding period, you can adopt that dog and make it legally yours.

If you keep the dog, your responsibilities become much more complicated.

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Keeping Stray Dogs You Find In Missouri

Note: This law is at the state level, but your local municipalities may have contradictory rules. For example, Kansas City law allows for the following DIY adoption process. However, St. Louis specifically states that stray dogs must be surrendered to animal services (more on that later).

First, consider whether or not you should foster the dog.

Then, if your local laws don’t say otherwise, below are the steps to legally adopt a stray dog that you find in Missouri without surrendering it to animal services:

Immediate Action

You must issue a 30-day notice of your intention to consider the dog a stray within two days of finding it (Section 271.010).

Within two days of finding a stray dog, you must post at least 3 fliers in public places (Section 271.050). These fliers should have your contact information and a description of the dog. Public places could be community bulletin boards, local stores, public parks, or other high-traffic areas.

You are also required to send a copy of this flier to the county clerk’s office (Section 271.050). While it may seem like an oddly formal step, it is a Missouri legal requirement that aims to provide transparency to the process.

This posting alerts the public and potential owner of the dog’s situation. This gives them a chance to come forward and reunite with their dog. It also guarantees transparent and legal handling of the stray dog. It leaves a clear record of your actions.

Long-Term Steps

If no one claims and proves ownership of the dog within 30 days, you must then file a copy of the notice with an associate circuit judge. You will also make an affidavit affirming your compliance with the notice requirements (Section 271.060).

The legal title to the dog doesn’t immediately become yours after 30 days. The original owner has one year from the date of your notice to reclaim their dog (Section 271.130). If they do not come forward within this year, and you’ve followed all legal procedures, the title to the dog legally becomes yours (Section 271.160).

One Year To Ownership

If you follow these steps diligently, you can legally keep the stray dog after the one-year period, provided no rightful owner steps forward.

It’s important to remember that these steps are specific to Missouri and may vary from those in other states. Always consult local authorities or legal counsel to confirm these steps and ensure adherence to your local laws and regulations.

Stray Dogs in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri’s most populated city, also has specific laws regarding stray dogs that you must consider alongside the state laws.

Kansas City’s municipal code does not acknowledge the state-wide steps outlined above. Instead, it only discusses the role of animal services in the process. Since Kansas City law does not specifically contradict the state law, I assume that the state law applies.

In Kansas City, Missouri, you can either surrender a stray dog to animal services or keep it yourself.

If you keep the dog, you’ll need to closely adhere to the process I’ve outlined above. Failing to do so is considered theft.

If you find and surrender a stray dog in Kansas City, Missouri, to animal services, they will hold it for a minimum of 5 days (Sec. 14-34). If the owner does not claim their dog during this holding period, you can legally adopt that dog.

Note that this is actually a shorter holding period than put forth by the state. The state of Missouri guarantees a minimum holding period of one week (7 days), while this is only 5 days. 

This is why it’s so important to consult your state, county, and city rules before making drastic decisions about what you do if you find a stray dog.

Stray Dogs In St. Louis, Missouri

Unlike Kansas City, St. Louis’ municipal code directly contradicts the rules set forth by the state.

While the state of Missouri outlines a process for keeping a stray dog yourself and skipping the kennel, St. Louis municipal code 10.04.120 states that all stray animals must be confined at the animal regulation center unless there’s an emergency.

That means that you are legally required to surrender a stray dog that you find in St. Louis, Missouri to animal control.

Animal control will then hold that dog for a period of 5 days (10.04.170). If the owner does not come forward and reclaim their dog, then you can legally adopt it from animal control.

Once again, note that this is a shorter holding period than defined by the state. You are also not allowed to keep the dog yourself, unlike in Kansas City or other unincorporated parts of Missouri. 

These contradictions underscore the importance of researching the local laws in your area. While St. Louis and Kansas City are the most populated cities in Missouri, other local jurisdictions have just as much of a right to set forth their own standards.

Sources

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