Missouri Statewide Rule

Missouri Dangerous Wild Animal Registration Law

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Missouri (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: RSMo 578.023
Large Carnivore Act: RSMo 578.600 et seq.
Registration with: Local law enforcement
Penalty: Class C misdemeanor
Permit cutoff: January 1, 2012

Last verified: August 21, 2026Source: Missouri Revisor of Statutes

Summary

Missouri RSMo 578.023 universally requires registration of dangerous wild animals such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and primates with local law enforcement, and the Large Carnivore Act adds permit and caging mandates statewide.

A person commits the offense of keeping a dangerous wild animal if he or she keeps any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific, or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuge, unless he or she has registered such animals with the local law enforcement agency in the county in which the animal is kept.

Source: Missouri Revisor of StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Under RSMo 578.023, no person may keep a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long unless registered with the local sheriff or housed in a zoo, circus, research facility, veterinary hospital, or sanctuary. The Missouri Large Carnivore Act (RSMo 578.600 et seq.) further requires Department of Agriculture permits for nonnative big cats and bears acquired after January 1, 2012, with caging, insurance, and microchipping standards that apply statewide regardless of local rules.

Violations & Penalties

Keeping an unregistered dangerous wild animal is a class C misdemeanor under RSMo 578.023; Large Carnivore Act violations carry permit revocation and civil penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register a pet bobcat or wolf in Missouri?

Yes. RSMo 578.023 requires registration with the county sheriff's office for any dangerous wild animal kept outside a zoo or sanctuary. Failure to register is a class C misdemeanor statewide.

Can I legally own a tiger or lion in Missouri?

Only with a Missouri Department of Agriculture Large Carnivore permit issued before applicable cutoffs. Caging, insurance, and microchipping standards apply, and most municipalities also ban private ownership outright.

Sources

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