(A) Requirements. For any dog determined or declared to be dangerous by operation of this subchapter, state statute, court order, ordinance or regulation from another jurisdiction, or valid declaration from an Animal Control Authority, the dog shall, at all times during the dog’s life, be registered as a dangerous dog pursuant to this subchapter or state law.
(B) Registration. No person may own or possess a dangerous dog in the county unless the dog is registered as provided in this subchapter or applicable state law. All dogs deemed dangerous by the Animal Control Authority or Hearing Officer, as applicable, shall be registered as a dangerous dog with the Animal Control Authority within 30 days after the date the dog was so deemed.
(C) Registration requirements. The Animal Control Authority shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog only if the owner presents sufficient evidence that all of the following are met:
(1) The owner provides and maintains a proper enclosure for the dangerous dog, as defined in § 90.05 of this chapter;
(2) The owner posts clearly visible warning signs, understandable to children, that there is a dangerous dog on the property. These warning signs must be posted on the front and the rear of all buildings on the property and upon the proper enclosure for the dog. The warning signs must meet the requirements set forth in M.S. § 347.51, as it may be amended from time to time, and § 90.08 of this chapter;
(3) The Owner provides, and annually shows proof of, public liability insurance pre-paid in full in the minimum amount of $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident, payable to any person or persons injured by the dangerous dog, or a policy of liability insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to conduct business in this state in the amount of at least $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident insuring the owner for any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog;
(4) The owner pays the annual registration fee set by Board pursuant to division (E) below;
(5) An identification microchip was implanted in the dog as required under M.S. § 347.515, as it may be amended from time to time, and § 90.11 of this chapter;
(6) The dog must have a lifetime license, if required, and must be up to date on all vaccinations including rabies; and
(7) The dog must be sterilized. If not done within 30 days, Animal Control Authority shall seize the dog and have it sterilized at the owner’s expense.
(D) Release. If a dangerous dog was impounded by the Animal Control Authority, or upon order of a Hearing Officer, the dog shall not be released until the owner demonstrates to the Animal Control Authority that all applicable requirements of this subchapter, including all registration requirements imposed by this section or applicable state law, have been complied with. The owner shall have a maximum of 30 days to comply with all requirements. The owner must pay the county for all costs incurred in the seizure and boarding of the dog prior to its return.
(E) Fee. The county will charge the owner of a dangerous dog an annual fee, in addition to any regular dog licensing fees, to obtain a certificate of registration for a dangerous dog under this section. This annual fee will be set by the Board following a public hearing, in an amount not to exceed $500.
(F) Revocation.
(1) Any certificate of registration for a dangerous dog may be revoked, following hearing, if the owner fails to maintain compliance with any registration requirement, or fails to keep or maintain the dangerous dog as required by any provision of this subchapter or applicable state law. The provisions of §§ 90.12 and 90.13 of this chapter, applicable to the seizure and disposition of dogs, shall apply.
(2) The Animal Control Authority shall serve upon the owner a written notice setting forth the alleged reasons why the dog is not being kept in conformance with this subchapter, and shall also notify the owner of the date, time and location of the hearing. Any hearing to revoke a certificate of registration shall be held before a Hearing Officer within 20 days of the date of the notice, and shall comply with all the requirements as set forth in division (C) above. The Hearing Officer may allow the hearing date to be extended beyond the 20-day period for good cause.
(3) If a dangerous dog certificate of registration is revoked following hearing, the Hearing Officer shall order the dog disposed of immediately or, in the alternative, permit the owner a reasonable time period, not to exceed 30 days, to obtain the dog if the owner is in compliance with all registration requirements.
(G) Registration renewal. An owner of a dangerous dog shall renew the registration of the dog annually until the dog is deceased.
(H) Death or relocation of dangerous dog. An owner of a dangerous dog shall notify the Animal Control Authority, in writing, of the death of the dog, or if the dog relocates or transfers out of the county to a new location or new jurisdiction, within 30 days of the death or relocation. An owner shall, if requested by the Animal Control Authority, execute an affidavit, under oath and penalty of perjury, setting forth either the circumstances of the dog’s death and disposition; or the complete name, address and telephone number of the person to whom the dog was transferred.
(I) Sale or transfer of dangerous dogs. A person who sells or otherwise transfers ownership or control of a dangerous dog must notify any potential purchaser or transferee, prior to the consummation of the transaction, that the dog was previously designated as dangerous. The seller must also notify the Animal Control Authority, in writing, of the sale and provide the Animal Control Authority with the new owner’s name, address and telephone number.
(Ord. 10-01, passed 1-19-2010) Penalty, see § 90.99