Large Carnivore Act Permit and Standards

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) 512-1800, 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. AUTHORITY: section 578.600, RSMo Supp. 2010.* Original rule filed June 23, 2011, effective Jan. 30, 2012. *Original authority: 578.600, RSMo 2010.