Animals Archives

Black bear spotted in St. James

June 4, 2026 4:07 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed that it has received “several” reports about a bear being spotted in St. James. The St. James Police Department shared photos of a black bear in the area on Wednesday and Thursday. A Department of Conservation spokeswoman told ABC 17 News in an email that

Large animal rescue training pays off in Boone County horse rescue

February 26, 2026 9:40 PM Mitchell Kaminski

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Two horses rescued from a muddy lagoon near Harrisburg on Wednesday night are recovering after being treated by veterinarians. A friend of the horses’ owners said the animals were at the vet until about 3 a.m. to ensure they made it through the night. They are being treated with antibiotics to

Over 50 foster families sign up to take in dogs after CMHS wrote space-based euthanasia was possible

June 20, 2025 2:34 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia wrote that it could kill dogs for space reasons for the first time in more than 10 years. CMHS wrote on its social media that it started Friday with no kennels available “and desperately need dogs to leave in order to avoid making space-based euthanasia

Columbia man accused of taking home seagull from Gulf Coast, amputating wing with scissors

May 23, 2025 4:37 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly brought back a seagull from the Gulf of Mexico and amputated its wing with a pair of scissors. Aaron Lacey was charged on Thursday with felony animal abuse, misdemeanor animal abuse and violating an ordinance by the county commission. A

Family seeks justice after dogs found dead in Cooper County

January 2, 2025 10:34 PM Mitchell Kaminski

PRAIRIE HOME, Mo. (KMIZ) A Cooper County family is looking for information after their dogs were found dead on the side of the road Wednesday night. Ryan Bernskoetter said he found two of his labs off Campbell Bridge Road just after 7 p.m. with bullet holes in them. After receiving donations, the family is now

Fireworks can be a danger for pets

July 2, 2024 5:29 PM Marie Moyer

As the Fourth of July approaches, veterinarians say it’s important to make sure all members of the household stay comfortable during the festivities.

Prepare yourself and your pets ahead of potential winter weather across Mid-Missouri this week

December 20, 2022 6:21 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The snow and dangerously cold temperatures are expected to return to Mid-Missouri this week. The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for Thursday over the conditions. There are a few things to keep in mind ahead of the potential winter storm. One thing many people won’t want to

Macon County deputies arrest man accused of abandoning puppies

December 8, 2022 5:55 AM Joushua Blount

MACON COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Macon man accused of abandoning a litter of puppies faces possible charges. According to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Logan J. Hoag, Wednesday on five counts of animal neglect. Deputies said a tip from the community led them to investigate Hoag for abandoning the puppies. On Tuesday, a

Certain exotic animals legal in Missouri; Zebra on the loose in Miller County

July 28, 2022 10:33 PM Marina Diaz

In Missouri, it is legal to own exotic animals, as long as the owner has a permit through Missouri’s Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health.

Former prosecuting attorney goes over Missouri laws for animal abuse after man mutilates dog as a sacrifice

June 20, 2022 6:54 PM Kennedy Miller

Sources say a dog is in good condition after the owner mutilated the dog’s foot as a “sacrifice.”

Pulaski County deputies rescue 11 dogs from home

April 10, 2022 10:11 AM Meghan Drakas

PULASKI Co., Mo. (KMIZ) Pulaski County deputies visited a home in the 13000 block of Halt Drive on Thursday and found 11 dogs in need of medical attention. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said initial reports said several dogs were severely emaciated and neglected at the home. The owners of the dogs voluntarily surrendered them

Local dog rescue to hold microchip clinic in Columbia

March 27, 2022 4:28 AM Ben Fein

Pet owners, can get their furry friends microchipped Sunday for free at an event held by Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue in Columbia.

Staffing issues result in the Jefferson City Animal Shelter not accepting walk-ins

November 29, 2021 5:29 PM Chanel Porter

Monday through Friday this week there will be limited access to the Jefferson City Animal Shelter due to staffing issues.

Animals seized during animal cruelty investigation in CamdenCounty

September 25, 2020 10:31 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A deputy told ABC 17 News, “There were over 100 animals on property.”

Animal shelters still at work during COVID-19 pandemic

April 10, 2020 4:53 PM Ben Fein

Animal shelters aren’t open to the public, but they’ve been working to provide care to animals in need.

Missouri lawmakers advance proposal to prohibit breed bans

February 18, 2020 7:22 PM Barry Mangold

A bill that would outlaw any breed-specific regulations enforced by local governments passed out of a House committee Tuesday.

Dozens of feral cats managed by Jefferson City caretaker program

February 12, 2020 6:36 PM Barry Mangold

A small group of people in Jefferson City are in charge of providing food, shelter and care to dozens of stray cats. The goal is to control the population growth of strays and stop the spread of disease.

Photo of a coyote in a field courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Recent spike in Coyote sightings in Mid-MO

February 8, 2020 9:18 PM Zach Boetto

Many Columbia residents have recently shared their close encounters with coyotes on social media. The Missouri Department of Conservation says seeing a coyote in your neighborhood is not necessarily cause for alarm. According to the MDOC, coyotes are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk but coyote attacks are rare. Officials say coyotes