A. Definitions:
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY: For purposes of this section, the Little Falls police department is the governmental subdivision responsible for animal control operations within its jurisdiction.
ANIMALS: Cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, ponies, ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, guinea hens, dogs, cats and all other animals and feathered fowl.
AT LARGE: An animal off the premises of the owner and not under control of the owner by leash, chain or otherwise.
DANGEROUS: Without provocation inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being or another domestic animal; or killed a domestic animal without provocation while off owner's property.
GREAT BODILY HARM: Bodily injury which creates a high probability of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or other serious bodily harm.
OWNER: Any person, firm, corporation, organization or department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having care, custody or control of the dog.
PETS: Any species of domestic animal which in common practice are maintained in the home of the owner.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS: Been found potentially dangerous (inflicts bites without provocation, chases without provocation, or has a known propensity to attack unprovoked) and the animal subsequently endangers the safety of humans or other domestic animals.
PROPER ENCLOSURE: Securely confined indoors or in a secure area or structure suitable to prevent the animal from escaping and to provide protection from the elements.
SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM: Bodily injury, which involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, or which causes a temporary but substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or which causes a fracture of any bodily member.
ZOO: A state licensed zoological garden maintaining animals for display. (1992 Code; amd. Ord. 135, 5th Series, eff. 10-23-2006)
B. Keeping: It is unlawful for any person to keep any animal, not in transit, in any part of the city not zoned for agricultural purposes, except for pets or in zoos.
C. Running At Large: No person who is the owner or in possession of an animal shall permit the animal to run at large.
D. Housing: No person shall keep any animal in any structure which is infested by rodents, vermin, flies or insects.
E. Treatment: It is unlawful for any person to treat any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.
F. Trespasses: It is unlawful for any person to herd, ride or drive any animal across lands of another without permission from the owner. (1992 Code)
G. Animal Pound: Any dog found in the city without an animal tag, or running at large, shall be placed in the animal pound, and an accurate record of the time of such placement shall be kept on each animal. Every animal so placed in the animal pound shall be held for redemption by the owner for a period of not less than five (5) regular business days. A "regular business day" is one during which the pound is open for business to the public for at least four (4) hours between eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and seven o'clock (7:00) P.M. Impoundment records shall be preserved for a minimum of six (6) months and shall show: 1) the description of the animal by species, breed, sex, approximate age and other distinguishing traits; 2) the location at which the animal was seized; 3) the date of seizure; 4) the name and address of the person from whom any animal three (3) months of age or over was received; and 5) the name and address of the person to whom any animal was transferred. If unclaimed, such animal shall be humanely destroyed and the carcass disposed of, unless it is requested by a licensed educational or scientific institution under authority of Minnesota statutes section 35.71; provided, however, that if a tag affixed to the animal, or a statement by the animal's owner after seizure specifies that the animal should not be used for research, such animal shall not be made available to any such institution, but may be destroyed after the expiration of the five (5) day period. (Ord. 131, 2nd Series, eff. 10-29-1984; amd. 1992 Code)
H. Notice Of Impounding: Upon the impounding of any animal, the owner shall be notified, or if the owner of the animal is unknown, written notice shall be posted for three (3) days at the city hall, describing the animal and the place and time of taking. (Ord. 9, 2nd Series, eff. 12-17-1976; amd. 1992 Code)
I. Release From Animal Pound: Animals shall be released to their owners, or persons previously in possession of them, upon a sworn statement of ownership, proof that a license has been duly issued for such animal, and proof of current inoculations, and payment of impounding fees as established by the council by resolution. (Ord. 48, 2nd Series, eff. 7-19-1980; amd. 1992 Code)
J. Nuisances:
1. Habitual Barking: It shall be unlawful for any person to own or possess an animal which habitually barks, howls, whines or makes any other loud or unusual noises. "Habitual barking" will be defined as any barking with a continuous duration of more than five (5) minutes. Such barking must also be audible off of the owner's or caretaker's premises.
2. Damage To Property: It shall be unlawful for any person's animal to damage any lawn, garden or other property, whether or not the owner has knowledge of the damage. Any such animal may be impounded as provided in subsection G, "Animal Pound", of this section, or a complaint may be issued by anyone aggrieved by the animal under this section, against the owner of the animal for prosecution. (Ord. 135, 5th Series, eff. 10-23-2006)
K. Immobilization Of Animals: For the purpose of enforcement of this section, any peace officer, animal control officer or other person assisting a peace officer or animal control officer may use a so called tranquilizer gun or other instrument for the purpose of immobilizing and catching an animal. (Ord. 9, 2nd Series, eff. 12-17-1976; amd. 1992 Code)
L. Dangerous Animals: Once an animal has been declared to be dangerous, the owner must register the animal with the local animal control authority, which has established limitations and restrictions for the owners of the animal deemed to be dangerous. This procedure will follow in accordance with Minnesota statutes section 347.52. Any police officer or animal control officer may impound for a period of ten (10) days any animal which he believes to be dangerous. In the case of such impoundment, the officer shall comply with the provisions of subsection G, "Animal Pound", of this section. If, after the expiration of the ten (10) day impoundment period and the officer no longer deems the animal dangerous, he may return the animal to the owner. If the officer believes after the ten (10) day impoundment period that the animal is dangerous or if the animal is not claimed by its owner, he may humanely destroy such animal and dispose of the carcass; provided, however, any police officer or animal control officer may kill an animal which he believes to be dangerous and impractical to apprehend. (Ord. 135, 5th Series, eff. 10-23-2006)
M. Dog License: It is unlawful for any person or other possessor of a dog over six (6) months of age to fail to obtain a proper City license therefor.
N. Application: Application for a dog license shall be upon a form supplied by the City containing a certificate by a veterinarian, duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine within the State, which certificate shall state that the dog for which application for a license is made has been inoculated against rabies.
O. Term and Fee: All dog licenses shall be for the life of the animal; providing, the animal possesses a current rabies tag or other proof of inoculation and said license shall expires when the animal has no current rabies tag or other proof of inoculation. License fees shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
P. Tag Required: All licensed dogs shall wear a collar and have a tag firmly affixed thereto evidencing such lifetime license. A duplicate for a lost tag may be issued by the City upon presentation of the receipt showing the payment of the lifetime license fee, upon presentation of a certificate by a veterinarian, duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine within the State, which certificate shall state that the animal for which application for a duplicate license has been made, has a current rabies inoculation, and upon payment of the fee established by the Fee Schedule adopted by the City Council for issuance of a duplicate. Dog tags shall not be transferable, and no refunds shall be made on any dog license fee.
Q. Removal Of Excrement: It is unlawful for any person who owns or has custody of a pet to cause or permit such animal to defecate on any private property without the consent of the property owners or any public property, unless such person immediately removes the excrement and places it in a proper receptacle. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to seeing eye dogs under the control of a blind person or dogs while used in city police activity.
R. Biting Animals: Any animal that has not been inoculated by a live modified rabies vaccine and does not have, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, immunity to rabies and which has bitten any person, wherein the skin has been punctured or the services of a doctor are required, shall be confined by the city for a period of not less than ten (10) days, at the expense of the owner. The animal may be released at the end of such time if healthy and free from symptoms of rabies, and by the payment of all costs by the owner. However, if the owner of the animal shall elect immediately upon receipt of notice of need for such confinement by the city to voluntarily and immediately confine the animal for the required period of time in a veterinary hospital of the owner’s choosing within Morrison County, and provide immediate proof of such confinement in such manner as may be required, the owner may do so. (Ord. 9, 2nd Series, eff. 12-17-1976; amd. Ord. 48, 2nd Series, eff. 7-19-1980; Ord. 13, 4th Series, eff. 7-12-1993; Ord. 145, 4th Series, eff. 9-13-1999; Ord. 35, 7th Series, eff. 8-22-2022)