MO SB1352

Amends Missouri statute 578.012 governing the offense of animal abuse

Removes the word "consciously" from the requirement that torture or mutilation be inflicted while an animal was alive for felony charges to apply

Adds starvation as a new aggravating factor that elevates animal abuse from a class A misdemeanor to a class E felony when an owner or custodian fails to provide adequate care resulting in substantial harm

Maintains existing felony triggers: prior animal abuse conviction or torture/mutilation inflicted while the animal was alive