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(A) Requirements. If the City Council does not order the destruction of an animal that has been declared dangerous, the City Council may, as an alternative, order any or all of the following:
(1) That the owner provide and maintain a proper enclosure for the dangerous animal as specified in § 91.11(C)(3);
(2) Post the front and the rear of the premises with clearly visible warning signs, including a warning symbol to inform children, that there is a dangerous animal on the property as specified in M.S. § 347.51 as may be amended from time to time;
(3) Provide and show proof annually of public liability insurance in the minimum amount of $300,000;
(4) If the animal is a dog and is outside the proper enclosure, the dog must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash (not to exceed six feet in length) and under the physical restraint of a person 16 years of age or older. The muzzle must be of a design as to prevent the dog from biting any person or animal, but will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration;
(5) If the animal is a dog, it must have an easily identifiable, standardized tag identifying the dog as dangerous affixed to its collar at all times as specified in M.S. § 347.51 as it may be amended from time to time;
(6) All animals deemed dangerous by the Animal Control Officer shall be registered with the county in which this city is located within 14 days after the date the animal was so deemed and provide satisfactory proof thereof to the Animal Control Officer;
(7) If the animal is a dog, the dog must be licensed and up to date on rabies vaccination. If the animal is a ferret, it must be up to date with rabies vaccination.
(B) Seizure. The Animal Control Officer shall immediately seize any dangerous animal if the owner does not meet each of the above requirements within 14 days after the date notice is sent to the owner that the animal is dangerous. Seizure may be appealed to district court by serving a summons and petition upon the city and filing it with the district court.
(C) Reclaiming animals. A dangerous animal seized under § 91.12(B), may be reclaimed by the owner of the animal upon payment of impounding and boarding fees and presenting proof to animal control that each of the requirements under § 91.12(B) is fulfilled. An animal not reclaimed under this section within 14 days may be disposed of as provided under § 91.11
(F), and the owner is liable to the city for costs incurred in confining and impounding the animal.
(D) Subsequent offenses. If an owner of an animal has subsequently violated the provisions under § 91.11 with the same animal, the animal must be seized by animal control. The owner may request a hearing as defined in § 91.11(G). If the owner is found to have violated the provisions for which the animal was seized, the Animal Control Officer shall order the animal destroyed in a proper and humane manner and the owner shall pay the costs of confining the animal. If the person is found not to have violated the provisions for which the animal was seized, the owner may reclaim the animal under the provisions of § 91.12(C). If the animal is not yet reclaimed by the owner within 14 days after the date the owner is notified that the animal may be reclaimed, the animal may be disposed of as provided under § 91.11(F) and the owner is liable to the animal control for the costs incurred in confining, impounding and disposing of the animal.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24)
Every female dog in heat shall be confined in a building or other enclosure in a manner that it cannot come in contact with another dog except for planned breeding. Upon capture and failure to reclaim the animal, every dog shall be neutered or spayed prior to being transferred to a new owner.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24)
The Council is hereby authorized to appoint an Animal Control Officer to enforce the provisions of this chapter. In the officer's duty of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, he or she may from time to time, with the consent of the City Council, designate assistants.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24)
No person shall in any manner molest, hinder, or interfere with any person authorized by the City Council to capture dogs or other animals and convey them to the pound while engaged in that operation. Nor shall any unauthorized person break open the pound, or attempt to do so, or take or attempt to take from any agent any animal taken up by him or her in compliance with this chapter, or in any other manner to interfere with or hinder the officer in the discharge of his or her duties under this chapter.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24) Penalty, see § 91.99
(A) Separate offenses. Each day a violation of this chapter is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable under this section.
(B) Misdemeanor. Unless otherwise provided, violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable as provided in § 10.99.
(Ord. 91, passed 3-11-24)