2024 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXXVIII - Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders
Chapter 575 - Offenses Against the Administration of Justice
Section 575.353 - Max's Law — assault on a police animal — penalties.

Title XXXVIII CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Chapter 575

575.353. Max's Law — assault on a police animal — penalties. — 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as "Max's Law".

2. A person commits the offense of assault on a law enforcement animal if he or she knowingly attempts to kill or disable or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement animal when that animal is involved in law enforcement investigation, apprehension, tracking, or search, or the animal is in the custody of or under the control of a law enforcement officer, department of corrections officer, municipal police department, fire department or a rescue unit or agency.

3. The offense of assault on a law enforcement animal is a:

(1) Class A misdemeanor, if the law enforcement animal is not injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment;

(2) Class E felony if the law enforcement animal is seriously injured to the point of requiring veterinary care or treatment; and

(3) Class D felony if the assault results in the death of such animal.

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(L. 1999 H.B. 248 § 575.337, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2024 S.B. 754, et al.)