10/18/2023
Sec. 10-11. - Dog and cat regulation and licensing.
(a)
Running at large prohibited. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to permit such animal to run at large. Any dog shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on a durable leash secured to an object which it cannot move and on the premises of the owner, or on a leash and under the control of an accompanying person of suitable age and discretion. Any cat shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on the premises of the owner.
(b)
License required. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat, four months of age or more, to fail to obtain a license therefor from the city.
(c)
Fees. All fees for the licensing and impounding of dogs and cats shall be fixed and determined by the council, adopted by resolution, and uniformly enforced. A copy of the resolution setting forth currently effective fees shall be kept on file in the office of the city administrator and open to inspection during regular business hours.
(d)
License period. All dog and cat licenses shall expire on December 31 of each year.
(e)
Tag required. All licensed dogs and cats shall wear a collar and have a tag firmly affixed thereto evidencing such license for the current year. A duplicate for a lost tag may be issued by the city upon presentation of the receipt showing the payment of the license fee for the current year. Tags shall not be transferable, and no refund shall be made on any dog or cat license fee because of leaving the city or death of the dog or cat before the expiration of the license.
(f)
Immunization. All applications for dog licenses shall be accompanied by a current certificate of immunization for rabies signed by a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Minnesota, and stating
(1)
The owner's name;
(2)
A description of the dog; and
(3)
The date beyond which such immunization is not considered effective.
On or prior to the date of expiration of the effective immunization, the owner of a dog shall file with the city a new certificate containing the same information as herein required.
(g)
Other unlawful acts. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to (a) fail to have the license tag issued by the city firmly attached to a collar worn at all times by the licensed animal, or (b) own or keep a dog or cat which is dangerous (or potentially dangerous as defined in Minnesota Statute § 347.50), or (c) interfere with any police officer, or other city employee, in the performance of his duty to enforce this section, or (d) fail to keep his dog from barking, howling or whining, or his cat from emitting loud or unusual noise, or (e) fails to forthwith remove dog or cat waste deposited on public or private property, or (f) permit solid waste of a dog or cat to accumulate on his premises for more than 24 hours.
(h)
Animal pound. Any dog or cat found in the city without a 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 dog or cat. Every dog or cat so placed in the animal pound shall be held for redemption by the owner for a period of not less than five regular business days. A "regular business day" is one during which the pound is open for business to the public for at least four hours between 8:00 o'clock a.m. and 7:00 o'clock p.m. Impoundment records shall be preserved for a minimum of six months and shall show:
(1)
The description of the animal by specie, breed, s*x, 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 four months of age or over was received; and
(5)
The name and address of the person to whom any animal four months of age or over was transferred.
If unclaimed, such dog or cat shall be humanely destroyed and the carcass disposed of, unless it is requested by a licensed educational or scientific institution under authority of M.S.A. § 35.71. Provided, however, that if a tag is affixed to the dog or cat, or a statement by its 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-day period.
(i)
Notice of impounding. Upon the impounding of any dog or cat, the owner shall be notified, or if the owner is unknown, written notice shall be posted for five days at the City Hall describing the dog or cat and the place and time of taking.
(j)
Release from animal pound. Dogs and cats shall be released to their owners, as follows:
(1)
If such dog or cat is owned by a resident of the city, after purchase of a license as aforesaid, and payment of the impounding fees.
(2)
If such dog or cat is owned by a person not a resident of the city, after immunization of any such dog for rabies, and payment of the impounding fee for the period which the dog or cat was impounded.
(k)
Persons in possession. Any person who feeds or houses a dog or cat temporarily or permanently shall have all of the duties and bear the responsibilities of an owner under the provisions of this section.
(l)
Confinement required. The owner shall confine within a building or secure enclosure any fierce, dangerous, or vicious dog, except when securely muzzled and in the control of a competent person. The owner shall also confine every female dog in heat in a building, secure enclosure, veterinary hospital, or boarding kennel, or shall control such dog on a leash while being exercised.
(m)
Enforcement officers and right of entry. The council may designate officers for the enforcement of this section to take up and impound any dog or cat found not to be kept, confined, restrained or licensed in the manner hereby prescribed. Such officers are hereby authorized to enter upon private premises where there is reasonable cause to believe that a dog or cat is not licensed, kept, confined or restrained as required by this Section.
(n)
Impounding required. Any dog or cat that has bitten a person or another animal shall immediately be impounded for at least 14 days and kept apart, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, until it is determined whether such animal has or had a disease which may have been transmitted by such bite. Such impounding may be done by the owner, and need not be at the city pound, but if it is not at the city pound the owner shall notify the person in charge of the city pound immediately and shall furnish proof in writing that such dog or cat is being so impounded. Upon the expiration of such 14-day period, if it is determined that the dog or cat does not have a disease which might have been transmitted by such bite, the impounded dog or cat may be released, and the person in charge of the city pound shall be notified prior to such release. If the dog or cat is impounded at the city pound, it may be reclaimed as herein provided. Any animal which has been bitten by a dog or cat believed to have been exposed to a disease which could have been transmitted by such bite shall also be impounded for an incubation period.
(o)
Summary destruction. If a dog or cat is diseased, vicious, dangerous or suspected to have been exposed to rabies, or cannot be approached or impounded after a reasonable effort by an enforcement officer without risk or injury to persons, such dog or cat may be summarily destroyed
