Missouri Revised Statutes Title XVII. Agriculture and Animals § 267.650. Animals impounded when, costs paid by owner--redemption

Livestock, animals or birds which are held, moved or transported in violation of the provisions of sections 267.560 to 267.660, or the rules and regulations adopted hereunder, shall be seized and taken into custody by an authorized agent of the department of agriculture or by any state or county law enforcement officer at the request of the department. The department shall impound and hold all animals or birds seized and taken into custody at the owner's expense and without liability to the department. Animals or birds so seized and impounded may be redeemed by the owner and released to him by the department only after all such animals or birds have been tested, vaccinated and properly identified, if infected, by the state veterinarian or his agent. In order to redeem the animals or birds, the owner shall pay all expenses including the care and feeding of such animals or birds and the expense of testing, vaccinating or identifying. All infected animals or birds shall be consigned by the owner to slaughter upon redemption. If the animals or birds are not redeemed by the owner within five days after seizure, the department may apply to the circuit court of any county in which the animals or birds are impounded and the department under court order shall sell such animals or birds for slaughter and deduct from the net proceeds thereof all expenses of the department in connection with the seizure and impoundment of such animals or birds and remit the balance to the owner.