Missouri lawmakers' year-old decision to cancel animal shelters' state licensing fee exemption has landed the state in a lawsuit.
The Dogwood Animal Shelter, Osage Beach, joined the Humane Society of the United States and Stray Rescue of St. Louis, a no-kill animal shelter, in the 11-page suit filed Friday in the Cole County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit argues that changes made to a bill filed last year by Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, and former Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, "unconstitutionally changed the original purpose" of the bill, creating an illegal law that the state should be prohibited from enforcing.
The lawsuit specifically attacks a change made to Missouri's "Animal Care Facilities Act," eliminating their exemption and requiring animal shelters to start ....