Loading...
(A) Attack by an animal. It shall be unlawful for any person's animal to inflict or attempt to inflict bodily injury to any person or other animal whether or not the owner is present. This section shall not apply to dogs as regulated by § 91.11.
(B) Destruction of dangerous animal. The Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to order the destruction of dangerous animals in accordance with the terms established by this chapter.
(C) Definitions. For the purpose of this division, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) DANGEROUS ANIMAL. An animal which has:
(a) Caused bodily injury or disfigurement to any person on public or private property;
(b) Engaged in any attack on any person under circumstances which would indicate danger to personal safety;
(c) Exhibited unusually aggressive behavior, such as an attack on another animal;
(d) Bitten one or more persons on two or more occasions; or
(e) Been found to be potentially dangerous and/or the owner has personal knowledge of the same, the animal aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.
(2) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMAL. An animal which has:
(a) Bitten a human or a domestic animal on public or private property;
(b) When unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public property in an apparent attitude of attack; or
(c) Has engaged in unprovoked attacks causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
(3) PROPER ENCLOSURE. Securely confined indoors or in a securely locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the animal from escaping and to provide protection for the animal from the elements. A proper enclosure does not include a porch, patio, or any part of a house, garage, or other structure that would allow the animal to exit of its own volition, or any house or structure in which windows are open or in which door or window screens are the only barriers which prevent the animal from exiting. The enclosure shall not allow the egress of the animal in any manner without human assistance. A pen or kennel shall meet the following minimum specifications:
(a) Have a minimum overall floor size of 32 square feet.
(b) Sidewalls shall have a minimum height of five feet and be constructed of 11-gauge or heavier wire. Openings in the wire shall not exceed two inches, support posts shall be 1¼-inch or larger steel pipe buried in the ground 18 inches or more. When a concrete floor is not provided, the sidewalls shall be buried a minimum of 18 inches in the ground.
(c) A cover over the entire pen or kennel shall be provided. The cover shall be constructed of the same gauge wire or heavier as the sidewalls and shall also have no openings in the wire greater than two inches.
(d) An entrance/exit gate shall be provided and be constructed of the same material as the sidewalls and shall also have no openings in the wire greater than two inches. The gate shall be equipped with a device capable of being locked and shall be locked at all times when the animal is in the pen or kennel.
(4) UNPROVOKED. The condition in which the animal is not purposely excited, stimulated, agitated or disturbed.
(D) Designation as potentially dangerous animal. The Animal Control Officer shall designate any animal as a potentially dangerous animal upon receiving evidence that the potentially dangerous animal has, when unprovoked, then bitten, attacked, or threatened the safety of a person or a domestic animal as stated in division (C)(2). When an animal is declared potentially dangerous, the Animal Control Officer shall cause one owner of the potentially dangerous animal to be notified in writing that the animal is potentially dangerous.
(E) Evidence justifying designation. The Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to designate any animal as a dangerous animal upon receiving evidence of the following:
(1) That the animal has, when unprovoked, bitten, attacked, or threatened the safety of a person or domestic animal as stated in division (C)(1).
(2) That the animal has been declared potentially dangerous and the animal has then bitten, attacked, or threatened the safety of a person or domestic animal as stated in division (C)(1).
(F) Authority to order destruction. The Animal Control Officer, upon finding that an animal is dangerous hereunder, is authorized to order, as part of the disposition of the case, that the animal be destroyed based on a written order containing one or more of the following findings of fact:
(1) The animal is dangerous as demonstrated by a vicious attack, an unprovoked attack, an attack without warning or multiple attacks; or
(2) The owner of the animal has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to control the animal in order to prevent injury to persons or other animals.
(G) Procedure. The Animal Control Officer, after having determined that an animal is dangerous, may proceed in the following manner: The Animal Control Officer shall cause one owner of the animal to be notified in writing or in person that the animal is dangerous and may order the animal seized or make orders as deemed proper. This owner shall be notified as to dates, times, places and parties bitten, and shall be given 14 days to appeal this order by requesting a hearing before the City Council for a review of this determination.
(1) If no appeal is filed, the Animal Control Officer shall obtain an order or warrant authorizing the seizure and the destruction of the animal from a court of competent jurisdiction, unless the animal is already in custody or the owner consents to the seizure and destruction of the animal.
(2) If an owner requests a hearing for determination as to the dangerous nature of the animal, the hearing shall be held before the City Council, which shall set a date for hearing not more than three weeks after demand for the hearing. The records of the Animal Control or City Clerk’s office shall be admissible for consideration by the Animal Control Officer without further foundation. After considering all evidence pertaining to the temperament of the animal, the City Council shall make an order as it deems proper. The City Council may order that the Animal Control Officer take the animal into custody for destruction, if the animal is not currently in custody. If the animal is ordered into custody for destruction, the owner shall immediately make the animal available to the Animal Control Officer. If the owner does not immediately make the animal available, the Animal Control Officer shall obtain an order or warrant authorizing the seizure and the destruction of the animal from a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) No person shall harbor an animal after it has been found by to be dangerous and ordered into custody for destruction.
(H) Stopping an attack. If any police officer or Animal Control Officer is witness to an attack by an animal upon a person or another animal, the officer may take whatever means the officer deems appropriate to bring the attack to an end and prevent further injury to the victim.
(I) Notification of new address. The owner of an animal which has been identified as dangerous or potentially dangerous shall notify the Animal Control Officer in writing if the animal is to be relocated from its current address or given or sold to another person. The notification shall be given in writing at least 14 days prior to the relocation or transfer of ownership. The notification shall include the current owner's name and address, the relocation address, and the name of the new owner, if any.
(J) Dangerous animal requirements.
(1) 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:
(a) That the owner provide and maintain a proper enclosure for the dangerous animal as specified in § 91.12(C)(3);
(b) 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;
(c) Provide and show proof annually of public liability insurance in the minimum amount of $300,000;
(d) If the animal is outside the proper enclosure, the animal must be muzzled (if physically possible depending on the type of animal) 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 animal from biting any person or animal, but will not cause injury to the animal or interfere with its vision or respiration;
(e) The animal shall have a microchip implant as provided by M.S. § 347.515, as it may be amended from time to time;
(f) 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.
(g) If the animal is a cat or ferret, it must be up to date with rabies vaccination.
(2) Seizure. As authorized by M.S. § 347.54, as it may be amended from time to time, 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.
(3) Reclaiming animals. A dangerous animal seized under § 91.12(J)(2), 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(J)(1), is fulfilled. An animal not reclaimed under this section within 14 days may be disposed of as provided under § 91.12(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 § 91.12 with the same animal, the animal must be seized by animal control. The owner may request a hearing as defined in § 91.12(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(J)(3). 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 § 91.12(F) and the owner is liable to the animal control for the costs incurred in confining, impounding and disposing of the animal.
(A) All animals shall receive from their owners or keepers kind treatment, housing in the winter, and sufficient food and water for their comfort. Any person not treating their pet in a humane manner will be subject to the penalties provided in this section.
(B) Dogs and cats. Dogs and cats must be provided the following basic care.
(1) Food. Dogs and cats must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or the maintenance of body weight. Feed standards shall be those recommended by the National Research Council.
(2) Water. Dogs and cats must be provided with clean, potable water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal's needs or supplied by free choice. Snow or ice is not an adequate water source.
(3) Transportation and shipment. When dogs or cats are transported in crates or containers, the crates or containers must be constructed of nonabrasive wire or a smooth, durable material suitable for the animals. Crates and containers must be clean, adequately ventilated, contain sufficient space to allow the animals to turn around, and provide maximum safety and protection to the animals. Exercise for 20 to 30 minutes and water must be provided at least once every eight hours. Food must be provided at least once every 24 hours or more often, if necessary, to maintain the health and condition of the animals.
(4) Shelter size. A confinement area must provide sufficient space to allow each animal to turn about freely and to easily stand, sit, and lie in a normal position. Each confined animal must be provided a minimum square footage of floor space as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, plus 25%, expressed in square feet. The formula for computing minimum square footage is: (length of animal plus 25%) times (length of animal plus 25%), divided by 144. A shaded area must be provided sufficient to protect the animal from the direct rays of the sun at all times during the months of May to October.
(5) Exercise. All dogs and cats must be provided the opportunity for periodic exercise, either through free choice or through a forced work program, unless exercise is restricted by a licensed veterinarian.
(6) Group housing and breeding. Animals housed together must be kept in compatible groups. Animals must not be bred so often as to endanger their health.
(7) Temperature. Confinement areas must be maintained at a temperature suitable for the animal involved.
(8) Ventilation. An indoor confinement area must be ventilated. Drafts, odors, and moisture condensation must be minimized. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans, vents, and air conditioning, must be used when the ambient temperature rises to a level that may endanger the health of the animal.
(9) Lighting. An indoor confinement area must have at least eight hours of illumination sufficient to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
(10) Confinement and exercise area surfaces. Where applicable, the interior surfaces of confinement and exercise areas, including crates or containers, must be constructed and maintained so that they are substantially impervious to moisture and may be readily cleaned. They must protect the animal from injury and be kept in good repair.
(11) Drainage. Where applicable, a suitable method must be used to rapidly eliminate excess fluids from confinement areas.
(12) Sanitation. Food and water receptacles must be accessible to each animal and located so as to minimize contamination by excreta. Feeding and water receptacles must be kept clean. Disposable food receptacles must be discarded when soiled. Measures must be taken to protect animals from being contaminated with water, wastes, and harmful chemicals. Wastes must be disposed of properly. Where applicable, flushing methods and a disinfectant must be used periodically. Bedding, if used, must be kept clean and dry. Outdoor enclosures must be kept clean and base material replaced as necessary.
(C) Birds, rodent other animals. Basic care provided to pet and companion animal birds, rodents and other shall be consistent with M.S. § 346.40, § 346.41 and § 346.42, as those statutes may be amended from time to time.
(D) Dogs and cats in motor vehicles.
(1) Unattended dogs or cats. A person may not leave a dog or a cat unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the dog's or cat's health or safety.
(2) Removal of dogs or cats. A peace officer, as defined in M.S. § 626.84, as it may be amended from time to time, a humane agent, a dog warden, or a volunteer or professional member of a fire or rescue department of the city may use reasonable force to enter a motor vehicle and remove a dog or cat which has been left in the vehicle in violation of (D)(1). A person removing a dog or a cat under this division shall use reasonable means to contact the owner of the dog or cat to arrange for its return home. If the person is unable to contact the owner, the person may take the dog or cat to an animal shelter.
(E) Dog houses. A person in charge or control of any dog which is kept outdoors or in an unheated enclosure shall provide the dog with shelter and bedding as prescribed in this section as a minimum.
(1) Building specifications. The shelter shall include a moisture proof and windproof structure of suitable size to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat. It shall be made of durable material with a solid, moisture proof floor or a floor raised at least two inches from the ground. Between November 1 and March 31 the structure must have a windbreak at the entrance. The structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding material consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the equivalent, to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness and promote retention of body heat.
(2) Shade. Shade from the direct rays of the sun, during the months of May to October shall be provided.
(3) Farm dogs. In lieu of the requirements of (E)(1) and (E)(2), a dog kept on a farm may be provided with access to a barn with a sufficient quantity of loose hay or bedding to protect against cold and dampness.
Every female dog or female cat in heat shall be confined in a building or other enclosure in a manner that it cannot come in contact with another dog or cat except for planned breeding. Upon capture and failure to reclaim the animal, every dog or cat shall be neutered or spayed prior to being transferred to a new owner.
The Council is hereby authorized to appoint an animal control officer(s) to enforce the provisions of this section. In the officer's duty of enforcing the provisions of this section, he or she may from time to time, with the consent of the City Council, designate assistants.
No person shall in any manner molest, hinder, or interfere with any person authorized by the City Council to capture dogs, cats 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.
Penalty, see § 91.99
(A) The provisions of M.S. § 343.31, as it may be amended from time to time, are adopted herein by reference.
(B) No person shall:
(1) Promote, engage in, or be employed in the activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, or violent pitting of one pet or companion animal as defined in M.S. § 346.36, Subd. 6, as it may be amended from time to time, against another of the same or a different kind;
(2) Receive money for the admission of a person to a place used, or about to be used, for that activity;
(3) Willfully permit a person to enter or use for that activity premises of which the permitter is the owner, agent, or occupant; or
(4) Use, train, or possess a dog or other animal for the purpose of participating in, engaging in, or promoting that activity.
(5) Purchase a ticket of admission or otherwise gain admission to the activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, or violent pitting of one pet or companion animal against another of the same or a different kind.
(A) Definitions.
(1) FEED or FEEDING means the placing of dog or cat food, or similar food products or consumable materials attractive to dogs and cats, which may result in dogs and cats congregating thereon on a regular basis, placed on the ground, in an obviously intended feeder, or in a feeder at a height accessible to cats and dogs.
(2) STRAY means an unlicensed domestic or feral dog or cat running at large and unaccompanied or controlled by an owner.
(B) Policy and purpose. High populations of stray dogs and cats pose a hazard to human health and safety, as such animals provide a fruitful breeding ground for infectious disease, including but not limited to rabies and distemper, and may otherwise bite or attack humans and domestic animals. In addition, food provided for stray animals is often attractive to wild animals such as raccoons and rodents and may create nuisance conditions such as a rat harborage or other wild animal infestation.
(C) No person shall feed or allow the feeding of any stray cat or dog within the city.
(D) Exceptions. Veterinarians and persons who, acting within the scope of their employment with any governmental entity non-profit, or humane society has custody of or manages stray dogs and cats are not subject to the prohibitions of this section.
(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.