by Cosgrove Law Group, LLC
May 14, 2011 – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recently selected Cosgrove Law, LLC to take the lead on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a section Missouri Senate Bill 795. HSUS was joined by Dogwood Animal Shelter, Inc. and Stray Rescue of St. Louis as Plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed today in Cole County, Missouri against the State of Missouri. The suit seeks to stop a new government fee on non-profit animal shelters in Missouri as it alleges that the provision of SB 795 in question violates the Missouri constitution in that it differs from the original purpose of the bill. The complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that the provision removing the exemption is unconstitutional, as well as permanent injunctive relief against the enforcement of the provision. Until the passage of SB 795 last year, Missouri’s animal shelters were exempt from the licensing fees that the Missouri Department of Agriculture imposes on licensed breeders, pet stores, and other similar commercial entities.