(A) Rabies vaccination required. A person who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog over six months old within the city must have the dog vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian with an anti-rabies vaccine that is currently effective. A vaccination certificate is valid only for the dog and owner to which it is issued. A person must not use a rabies vaccination certificate for a different dog than the one for which it was issued.
(B) Tags. A person who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog over six months old within the city must securely attach an identification tag or plate to the dog’s collar so that it can be readily seen. The tag or plate must contain the name and telephone number of the owner or other person who is keeping the dog. The identification tag or plate must be worn by the dog at all times when it is off the owner’s or keeper’s property.
(C) Limit on number of cats and dogs. Because the keeping of four or more dogs or four or more cats in the family dwelling unit or on the family premises is subject to great abuse, causing discomfort to persons in the area by way of smell, noise, hazard, and general aesthetic depreciation, and because the irresponsible maintenance of four or more dogs or four or more cats within a residential area has been the source of a variety of complaints, no family or family member shall keep, harbor, or have custody of more than three dogs, or more than three cats, or a combination of more than five animals exceeding six months in age in the family dwelling unit or on the family premises.
(D)
The owner or custodian of any animal permanently or temporarily in the city shall have the obligation and responsibility to prevent such animal from committing any act which constitutes a public nuisance, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following acts:
(1) Habitually or frequently bark or cry to the annoyance of neighbors or the general public.
(2) Molest or annoy any person if such person is not on the property of the owner or custodian of such animal.
(3) Molest, defile, or destroy any public or private property not belonging to the owner or custodian of such animal.
(4) Defecate upon public property without immediately removing the excrement and disposing of it in a sanitary manner.
(5) Chase vehicles or otherwise run at large within the city.
(E) (1) The City of Columbia Heights will follow the provisions of M.S. Chapter 347 as it relates to dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs.
(2) The City of Columbia Heights may impose additional requirements to the owners of potentially dangerous dogs, including all requirements listed for dangerous dogs.
(F) No person who is the owner or has custody of any animal shall beat, treat cruelly, torment or otherwise abuse or abandon such animal. No person who is the owner or has custody of any animal shall fail to provide such animal with sufficient, good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, or with humane care and treatment.
(G) Exceptions. The provisions of § 8.101.(D)(4) do not apply to a guide dog accompanying a blind person, a service dog accompanying a disabled person, or a dog while engaged in police or rescue activity.
(`77 Code, § 8.102) (Am. Ord. 1005, passed 7-12-82; Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-20; Am. Ord. 1673, passed 4-25-22) Penalty, see
§ 8.105