1. Sections 578.600 to 578.624 shall be known and may be cited as the "Large Carnivore Act".
2. As used in sections 578.600 to 578.624, the following terms mean:
(1) "Circus", an incorporated, class C licensee that is licensed under Chapter I of Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations that is temporarily in this state, and that offers skilled performances by live animals, clowns, and acrobats for public entertainment;
(2) "Department", the Missouri department of agriculture;
(3) "Division", the division of animal health of the Missouri department of agriculture;
(4) "Facility", an indoor or outdoor cage, pen, or similar enclosure where a large carnivore is kept;
(5) "Humane killing", the same meaning as such term is defined in section 578.005;
(6) "Large carnivore", either of the following:
(a) Any of the following large cats of the Felidae family that are nonnative to this state held in captivity: tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and cheetah, including a hybrid cross with such cat, but excluding any unlisted nonnative cat, or any common domestic or house cat; or
(b) A bear of a species that is nonnative to this state and held in captivity;
(7) "Livestock", the same meaning as such term is defined in section 267.565;
(8) "Permit", a permit issued under section 578.602;
(9) "Qualified veterinarian", a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine under chapter 340.