HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 503 - Animal ControlCITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 503
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANDOVER DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
CITY CODE TITLE 5: POLICE REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 1: ANIMAL CONTROL,
ARTICLE A: DOGS AND CATS
CHAPTER 1
ANIMAL CONTROL
ARTICLE A. DOGS AND CATS
SECTION:
5-1A-1:
Definitions
5-1A-2:
Dog Licensing Requirements
5-1A-3:
Number of Dogs and Cats Restricted
5-1A-4:
Dog Enclosures
5-1A-5:
Dog Kennels
5-1A-6:
Nuisance Dogs and Cats
5-1A-7:
Potentially Dangerous Dogs and Cats
5-1A-8:
Dangerous Dogs and Cats
5-1A-9:
Impoundment and Redemption Privileges
5-1A-10:
Enforcement Officials
5-1A-11:
Citations
5-1A-12:
Violations; Penalties
5-1A-1: DEFINITIONS:
ANIMAL SHELTER: Any premises designated by the City Council for the purpose
of impounding and caring for the dogs and cats held under
the authority of this article.
BITING DOG: Any dog which, without being provoked, has bitten,
scratched, or caused other injury or threatens such injury to
a person or another domestic animal, under circumstances
where, at the time of the threat of attack, the person or
domestic animal was lawfully on the premises upon which
the victim was legally entitled to be, or the victim was on
the premises owned or controlled by the owner of the dog,
at the express or implied invitation of the owner.
DANGEROUS DOG/CAT: Any dog/cat that has:
A. Without provocation, inflicted substantial bodily harm on
a human being on public or private property.
B. Has killed a domestic animal without provocation while
off the owner's property.
C. Has been found to be potentially dangerous, and after
the owner has notice that the dog is potentially
dangerous, the dog aggressively bites, attacks, or
endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.
DOG ENCLOSURE: An enclosure (of sufficient size) constructed for shutting in
or enclosing dogs. The enclosure shall be surrounded and
covered with fencing material of at least six feet (6) in
height and of sufficient gauge to ensure the dog's
confinement. A cement pad of four inches (4") in thickness
shall be present that covers the inside and perimeter of the
enclosure.
FREQUENT BARKING: Barking intermittently for 30 minutes or more.
HABITUAL BARKING: Barking for repeated intervals of at least five minutes with
less than one minute of interruption.
KENNEL; Any place where a person accepts dogs from the
COMMERCIAL': general public and where such animals are kept for the
purpose of selling, boarding, breeding, training, or
grooming, except for a veterinary clinic. There shall be a
fenced yard or dog enclosures
present to prevent the running at large or escape of dogs
confined therein 2.
KENNEL; PRIVATE 3: A place where more than three (3) dogs over six (6) months
of age are kept for private enjoyment and not for monetary
gain, provided such animals are owned by the owner or the
lessee of the premises on which they are kept. There shall
be a fenced yard or dog enclosures present to prevent the
running at large or escape of dogs confined therein4.
See also section 12-2-2 of this code, definition of "dog kennel, commercial".
2 See title 12, chapter 7 of this code for fence requirements and restrictions.
3 See also section 12-2-2 of this code, definition of "dog kennel, private"
4 See title 12, chapter 7 of this code for fence requirements and restrictions.
NUISANCE: It shall be considered a nuisance for any animal:
A. To bite, attack or endanger the safety of humans or
domestic animals;
B. To run at large; to habitually or frequently bark or cry;
C. To frequent school grounds, parks, nature preserves,
open spaces, or public beaches while unrestrained;
D. To chase vehicles; to molest or annoy any person if
such person is not on the property of the owner or
custodian of the animal;
E. To molest, defile, destroy any property, public or private;
or
F. To leave excrement on any property, public or private.
OFFICER: Any law enforcement officer of the city and persons
designated by the city to assist in the enforcement of this
article.
OWNER: Any person, firm, cooperation, organization, or
department possessing, harboring, keeping, having an
interest in, or having care, custody or control of an
animal.
POTENTIALLY
DANGEROUS DOG/CAT: Any dog/cat that:
A. When unprovoked, inflicts bite(s) on a human or
domestic animal on public or private property.
B. When unprovoked, chases or approaches a person,
including a person on a bicycle, upon the streets,
sidewalks, or any public or private property, other than
the dog owner's property, in an apparent attitude of
attack.
C. Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to
attack unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise
threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
PROPER ENCLOSURE: Securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and
locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the animal from
escaping and providing protection from the elements for the
dog. A proper enclosure does not include a porch, patio, or
any part of a house, garage, or other structure that would
allow the dog 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 obstacles that prevent the dog
from exiting.
PROVOCATION: An act that an adult could reasonably expect may cause a
dog to attack or bite.
RESTRAINT: A dog or cat shall be deemed to be under restraint if it is
on the premises of its owner or if accompanied by an
individual and under that individual's effective control.
SUBSTANTIAL
BODILY HARM: Bodily injury that involves a temporary but substantial
or temporary disfigurement, or that causes a temporary but
substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
member or organ, or that causes a fracture of any bodily
member.
UNPROVOKED: The condition in which an animal is not purposely excited,
stimulated, agitated, or disturbed.
5-1A-2: DOG LICENSING REQUIREMENTS; EXEMPTIONS:
A. License Required: No person shall own, keep, harbor or have custody of any dog
over six (6) months of age without first obtaining a license from the City Clerk. No
license shall be issued to any person other than the owner except upon the
written request of owner.
B. Application For License: Applications for license shall be made on forms
prescribed by the City Clerk, which form shall set forth the following:
1. The name, address and telephone number of the owner;
2. The name and address of the person making the application, if other than the
owner; and
3. The breed, sex, and age of the dog for which a license is sought.
C. Rabies Vaccination Required: Every application for a license shall be
accompanied by a certificate from a qualified veterinarian showing that the dog to
be licensed has been given a vaccination against rabies to cover the licensing
period. No license shall be granted for a dog that has not been vaccinated
against rabies for a time sufficient to cover the licensing period. Vaccination shall
be performed only by a doctor qualified to practice veterinary medicine in the
state in which the dog is vaccinated.
D. License Fee; Expiration Of License: The license fee shall be in such amount as
set forth by ordinance and shall expire in accordance with the date shown on the
license receipt.
E. Nonresidents Exempt: This section shall not apply to nonresidents of the city;
provided, that dogs of such owners shall not be kept in the city longer than thirty
(30) days without a license and shall be kept under restraint.
F. Revoked Licenses: Any person who owns, keeps or harbors or is in physical
custody of any dog within the city, for any period of time, which dog has had its
license revoked, shall be in violation of this article.
5-1A-3: NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS RESTRICTED: No person, firm or
corporation shall harbor more than three (3) dogs over the age of six (6) months in any
one -family residence unit or place of business except pursuant to Section 5-1A-13 of
this article, and no person, firm or corporation shall harbor more than three (3) cats over
the age of six (6) months in any one -family residence unit or place of business that is
located on a parcel of land two and one-half (2.5) acres or less.
5-1A-4: DOG ENCLOSURES:
A. Purpose: It is the purpose of this section to abate existing nuisances and to
prevent nuisances created by site, odor, noise and sanitation due to
construction and placement of dog enclosures on private property.
B. Screening: Dog enclosures must be screened from view of adjacent property.
C. Location: A dog enclosure shall not be placed closer than forty feet (40') from an
adjacent residential dwelling or principal structure and at least ten feet (10') from
side and rear lot lines. No dog enclosure shall be placed in the front yard in all
residential districts; and in the R-4 single-family urban district, no dog enclosure
shall be placed in the side yard.
D. Sanitation Requirements: No person shall permit feces, urine, or food scraps
to remain in an enclosure for a period that is longer than reasonable and
consistent with health and sanitation and the prevention of odor.
E. Applicability And Effect Of Provisions: This section shall be applicable to all dog
enclosures constructed after July 18, 1995. Any preexisting dog enclosure for
which the city receives a complaint that it is not kept in a clean and sanitary
condition or is a nuisance to an adjacent property owner shall be required to
comply with this section by a notice of compliance being given by the City
Administrator or his/her duly authorized agent. Failure to comply with such notice
within thirty (30) days of issuance shall be a violation of this article.
5-1A-5: DOG KENNELS:
A. Licensing Requirements:
1. Licenses Required: No person, firm or corporation shall operate or maintain a
commercial or private kennel without first securing a kennel license therefore
from the City Council and meeting the criteria as set forth in this article and/or the
zoning ordinance I .
2. Applications For Licenses; Fees:
a. Application for a kennel license shall be made on forms provided by the
city. Such application shall contain the following information:
(1) Location, on premises, of the kennel.
(2) Location of structures for housing the dogs. If the dogs are to be kept
primarily within the home or other building of the residence of the applicant
or of any other person, the application shall so state.
(3) The maximum number of dogs to be kept on the premises.
(4) The location, size, and height of dog enclosures, if present.
(5) The location and type of fencing (if present); fencing to be of such
quality, design and height so that it will contain the dogs 2 .
(6) Method to be used in keeping the premises in a sanitary condition.
(7) Method to be used in keeping dogs quiet.
(8) An agreement by the applicant that the premises may be inspected by
the city at all reasonable times.
b. The City Council may impose additional requirements to be stated in
the application or more restrictive requirements than those listed in
Subsection A2a of this section to protect the health, safety, general
welfare and morals of the general public.
See section 12-15-6 of this code.
2 See title 12, chapter 7 of this code for fence regulations and restrictions.
c. Application for such license shall be made to the City Clerk and shall be
accompanied by a specified license fee that shall be as set in Subsection
1-7-3A of this code.
3. Approval Or Denial Of Licenses: The City Clerk shall refer private kennel
license applications to the City Council and commercial kennel license
applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission as set forth in the zoning
ordinance. In both cases, the City Council may grant or deny the license.
4. Renewal Of Licenses: All kennel licenses shall be renewed annually.
Application for such license renewal shall be made to the City Clerk and shall be
accompanied by a specified license fee, which annual license fee shall be in
such amount as set forth by ordinance. The City Council shall review and
approve all license renewal applications, provided no revocation of the license is
made as specified in Subsection A6 of this section.
5. Requirements For Private/Commercial Kennel Licenses: A minimum of two
and one-half (2.5) acres in a residentially zoned district is required for a
private/commercial dog kennel license (provided that the adjacent lot sizes are
predominately similar in size). A private/commercial dog kennel license shall not
be issued unless a Conditional Use Permit has been granted by the City Council
in accordance with the zoning ordinance.
6. Revocation Of Licenses: Any kennel license may be revoked by the City
Council by reason of any violation of this article or by reason of any other
health or nuisance ordinance, order, law or regulation.
a. Private Kennel License: Before revoking a private kennel license, the
licensee shall be given notice of the meeting at which such revocation is to
be considered. Notice of the meeting shall be given in writing five (5) days
prior to said meeting. The licensee, if present at said meeting, shall be
given the opportunity to be heard.
b. Commercial Kennel License: A commercial kennel license may be
revoked by the City Council by the procedure established and defined in
the zoning ordinance.
B. Kennel Regulations: Kennels shall be kept in a clean and healthful condition at all
times, and shall be open to inspection by any health officer, sanitarian, animal
control officer, or the person charged with the enforcement of this article, or any
health or sanitary regulation of the city, at all reasonable times.
5-1A-6: NUISANCE DOGS AND CATS
A. Obligation to Prevent Nuisances: It shall be the obligation and responsibility of
the owner or custodian of any animal in the city, whether permanently or
temporarily therein, to prevent such animal from committing any act which
constitutes a nuisance. Failure on the part of the owner or custodian to prevent
his or her animals from committing an act of nuisance shall be subject to the
penalty herein provided.
B. Control of Animal: No restriction imposed by Section 5-1A-6 of this article shall
prohibit the appearance of any dog or cat upon streets or public property when
such dog or cat is on a leash and accompanied by an individual or accompanied
by and under the control and direction of an individual so as to be effectively
restrained by command as by leash. Dogs or cats that are in city parks, open
space areas, nature preserves, or are on or directly adjacent to athletic fields
must be leashed. Owners are required to clean up and dispose of their pet's
excrement.
C. Muzzling Proclamation: Whenever the prevalence of rabies renders such action
necessary to protect the public health and safety, the Mayor shall issue a
proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog to muzzle it
securely so that it cannot bite. No person shall violate such proclamation, and
any unmuzzled dog unrestrained during the time fixed in the proclamation shall
be subject to impoundment as heretofore provided, shall be considered a
nuisance, and the owner of such dog shall be subject to the penalty hereinafter
provided.
D. Nuisances Prohibited: No dog or cat shall be permitted to be a nuisance within
the limits of the city. Any person, who owns, keeps, harbors or is in physical
control of a dog or cat that is a nuisance shall be in violation of this article.
E. Abatement of Nuisance Conditions:
1. Nuisances Subject to Abatement: The following are declared nuisances
subject to immediate abatement by resolution of the City Council:
a. Any dog/cat that has, without provocation, inflicted "substantial bodily
harm" as defined by Minnesota State Statute; or
b. Any dog/cat that has engaged in conduct resulting in three (3) or more
established violations of this article for nuisance. An "established
violation" is any violation for nuisance declared as "established" by the
City Council, or which results in conviction in a court of competent
jurisdiction; or
c. Any established violation of this article for nuisance preceded by a
declaration by the City Council, based upon prior incident, that the
dog/cat is a "dangerous dog/cat" as defined by this article.
2. Placement On Council Agenda: Upon determination by the City Clerk of the
existence of a nuisance subject to abatement as set forth above, the City
Clerk shall place the matter on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the
City Council for public hearing and abatement consideration. Notice of the
hearing and a copy of this article shall be provided to the owners of the
dogs/cats by regular mail not later than seven (7) days prior to the hearing.
The City Clerk may also notify other concerned or interested parties.
3. Hearing For Abatement: Upon application and notice set forth above, a public
hearing shall be held before the City Council. The owners shall have the
opportunity to be heard and present relevant witnesses and evidence. The
City Council may also accept relevant testimony or evidence from other
interested persons.
4. Decisions By City Council: The City Council may, in its discretion, approve or
disapprove the application for abatement. If approved, the City Council may
order any of the following:
a. The dog/cat be forthwith confiscated and destroyed in a proper and
humane manner, and the costs incurred in confiscating, confining and
destroying the animal paid by the owner. Any costs unpaid after thirty-
(30) days of the order shall be assessed against the owner's property.
b. The dog/cat shall be removed permanently from the city limits within
forty-eight (48) hours of notice of the order. The dog license shall be
permanently revoked.
c. Should the owner fail to comply with the order to abate, the city, in
addition to any other legal remedy, shall have the civil remedy of
injunctive relief and may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for
an order compelling compliance with the abatement order
F. Summary Destruction of Certain Dogs: Whenever an officer has reasonable
cause to believe that a particular dog presents a clear and immediate danger to
residents of the city because it is infected with rabies (hydrophobia) or because of a
clearly demonstrated vicious nature, the officer, after making reasonable attempts to
impound such dog, may summarily destroy said dog.
5-1A-7: POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS AND CATS: In the event that a
complaint is received which, in the judgment of the City Clerk, Sheriffs Deputy, animal
control officer, or other duly authorized person, occurred under circumstances which
would justify the classification of the dog/cat as potentially dangerous under this article,
the City Clerk shall notify the owner of the dog/cat, in writing, that the dog/cat has been
classified as potentially dangerous under this article. Said notice shall further inform the
owner that should the dog/cat again aggressively bite, attack, or otherwise endanger the
safety of humans or domestic animals, the city may declare the dog/cat to be a
dangerous dog/cat and be subject to the restrictions thereon, including abatement. Said
authorization shall forward a copy of the notice of potentially dangerous dog/cat to the
City Clerk.
5-1A-8: DANGEROUS DOGS AND CATS: In the event that a complaint is
received which, in the judgment of the City Clerk, occurred under circumstances which
would justify the classification of the dog/cat as a dangerous dog/cat under this article,
the City Clerk shall place the issue on the next available agenda of the City Council and
shall notify the owner of the dog/cat, in writing, of the time and place of the Council
meeting at which the matter shall be heard. The notice shall inform the owner that a
request has been made to classify the dog/cat as a dangerous dog/cat and the City
Council shall hear such facts as any interested parties may wish to present, and shall,
by resolution, determine whether or not to classify the dog/cat as a dangerous dog/cat.
Such a determination shall be made upon the basis of whether or not the criteria as
found in Section 5-1A-1 of this article, definition of the term "dangerous dog/cat", have
been met. No variances shall be permitted from the strict terms of said definition. In the
event a dog/cat is classified as a dangerous dog/cat, the following shall apply:
A. The owner of the dog/cat shall be notified in writing and by certified mail or
personal service, that the dog/cat has been classified as a dangerous dog/cat
and shall be furnished with a copy of the resolution.
B. If the dog/cat was impounded and photographs or other identifying
characteristics obtained, such photographs or other identifying materials shall be
placed in a permanent file indexed under the owner's name. If the dog/cat is not
impounded, the owner shall be notified that the dog/cat license shall be revoked
unless, within ten (10) days after receipt of the notice, the owner furnishes to the
city suitable photographs or other identifying materials of the dog/cat, or makes
the dog/cat available for the taking of photographs by city staff for insertion in the
permanent files.
C. The City Clerk shall maintain a permanent file of all dogs/cats classified as
dangerous dogs/cats indexed under the owner's name.
D. No person may own a dangerous dog/cat in the city unless the owner complies
with this section. The animal control authority of the city may charge the owner
an annual fee, in addition to any regular dog/cat licensing fees, to obtain a
certificate of registration for a dangerous dog/cat under this section. A
dangerous dog/cat registered under this section must have a standardized, easily
identifiable tag identifying the dog/cat as dangerous and containing the uniform
dangerous dog symbol, affixed to the dog/cat's collar at all times. The owner of
the dangerous dog/cat must comply with the following provisions and present
sufficient evidence of compliance with them:
1. A proper enclosure exists for the dangerous dog/cat and a posting on
the premises with a clearly visible warning sign that there is a
dangerous dog/cat on the property, including a warning symbol to
inform children; and
2. A surety bond issued by a surety company authorized to conduct
business in the State of Minnesota in a form acceptable by the city in
the sum of at least three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00)
payable to any person injured by the dangerous dog/cat, or a policy of
liability insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to
conduct business in the State of Minnesota in the amount of at least
three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00), insuring the owner of
any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog/cat.
3. The owner has paid an annual fee, in addition to any regular dog/cat
licensing fees, to obtain a certificate of registration from the city for a
dangerous dog/cat.
4. The owner has had microchip identification implanted in the dangerous
dog/cat as required under Minnesota Statues Section 347.515.
5. The owner of a dangerous dog/cat shall keep the dangerous dog/cat,
while on the owner's property, in a proper enclosure. If the dog/cat is
outside the proper enclosure, the dog/cat must be muzzled and
restrained by a substantial chain or leash and under the physical
restraint of a responsible individual. The muzzle must be made in a
manner that will prevent the dog/cat from biting any person or animal
but that will not cause injury to the dog/cat or interfere with its vision or
respiration.
6. The animal control authority for the city shall immediately seize any
dangerous dog/cat if: 1) after fourteen (14) days after the owner has
been notified that the dog/cat has been declared a dangerous dog/cat,
the dog/cat is not validly registered as set forth herein; 2) after fourteen
(14) days after the owner has been notified that the dog/cat has been
declared a dangerous dog/cat, the owner does not secure the proper
liability insurance or surety coverage as applied by this article; 3) the
dog/cat is not maintained in the proper enclosure; 4) the dog/cat is
outside the proper enclosure and not under physical restraint of a
responsible individual; 5) the dog is not sterilized within 30 days,
pursuant to city code section 5-1A-11 A 4.j. If the owner of a dog/cat is
convicted of a crime for which the dog/cat was originally seized, they
may order that the dog/cat be confiscated and destroyed in a proper
and humane manner, and that the owner pay the costs incurred in
confiscating, confining, and destroying the dog/cat.
7. If the animal control authority for the city issues a certificate of
registration to the owner of a dangerous dog/cat, the animal control
authority requires posting of the owner's property with a warning
symbol to inform children that there is a dangerous dog/cat on the
property. The warning symbol must be the uniform symbol provided by
the commissioner of public safety. The animal control authority for the
city may charge the registrant a reasonable fee to cover its
administrative costs and the cost of the warning symbol.
8. An owner of a dangerous dog/cat must renew the registration of the
dangerous dog/cat annually until the dog/cat is deceased. If the
dog/cat is removed from the city, it must be registered as a dangerous
dog/cat in its new jurisdiction.
9. An owner of a dangerous dog/cat must notify the animal control
authority of the city in writing of the death of the dog/cat or its transfer
to a new location where the dog/cat will reside within 30 days of the
death or transfer, and must, if requested by the animal control
authority, execute an affidavit under oath setting forth either the
circumstances of the dog/cat's death or disposition or the complete
name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom the
dog/cat has been transferred or the address where the dog/cat has
been relocated.
10.The animal control authority of the city shall require a dangerous
dog/cat to be sterilized at the owner's expense. If the owner does not
have the animal sterilized within 30 days, the animal control authority
may seize the dog/cat and have it sterilized at the owner's expense.
11.A person who owns a dangerous dog/cat and who rents property from
another where the dog/cat will reside must disclose to the property
owner prior to entering the lease agreement and at the time of any
lease renewal that the person owns a dangerous dog/cat that will
reside at the property.
12.A person who transfers ownership of a dangerous dog/cat must notify
the new owner that the animal control authority has identified the
dog/cat as dangerous. The current owner must also notify the animal
control authority in writing of the transfer of ownership and provide the
animal control authority with the new owner's name, address and
telephone number.
E. All provisions of Minnesota State Statute Sections 347.54, 347.541, 347.542,
347.55, 347.56, and 347.565 are hereby adopted into this Code by reference.
These particular sections deal with seizure, disposition of seized animals,
restrictions on dog ownership, penalties, and destruction of dogs in certain
circumstances.
The following are exceptions to the dangerous dog/cat classification:
1. The provisions of this section do not apply to dangerous dogs/cats used
by law enforcement officials for official work.
2. Dogs/cats may not be declared dangerous if the threat, injury, or
damage was sustained by a person: 1) who was committing a willful
trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the
dog/cat; 2) who was provoking, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the
dog/cat or who can be shown to have repeatedly, in the past, provoked,
tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog/cat; or 3) who was committing or
attempting to commit a crime.
G. Nothing in this chapter, nor the enactment of any other procedures herein
enumerated, shall be deemed to limit, alter, or impair the right of the city or any
person to seek enforcement through criminal prosecution of any violation of this
article, and the fact the city may be pursuing classification of a dog/cat under this
article shall prevent or prohibit the prosecution at the same time of an owner of a
dog/cat for violation of this chapter under facts arising from the same occurrence
as that which generated classification procedures. The classification procedures
shall be in addition to, and not in place of, criminal prosecution under other
portions of this chapter or other ordinances.
5-1A-9: IMPOUNDMENT AND REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:
A. Impoundment Of Dogs And Cats:
1. Unrestrained Dogs And Cats: Unrestrained dogs and cats may be taken by
any "officer" as hereinbefore defined and impounded in an animal shelter and
there confined in a humane manner. Impounded dogs and cats shall be kept for
not less than five (5) regular business days unless reclaimed prior to that time by
their owner as provided hereafter.
2. Dangerous Dogs And Cats:
a. Whenever any owner of a dog/cat shall learn that such dog/cat has
bitten, attacked, or threatened any other human being or domestic animal, such
owner shall immediately impound said dog/cat in a place of confinement where it
cannot escape or have access to any other human being or animal, and it shall
also immediately notify any peace officer, dog/cat catcher, or other person
authorized by the City Council. Whenever such authorized person, peace officer
or dog/cat catcher shall learn that any human being has been bitten by any
dog/cat within the city, he/she shall ascertain the identity of such dog/cat and the
persons who might meet the definition of owner as found elsewhere in this
article, and shall immediately direct such person to forthwith impound such
dog/cat as required herein. If in the opinion of such peace officer, dog/cat
catcher, or other authorized person, the owner of such a dog/cat cannot or will
not so impound the dog/cat, such peace officer, dog/cat catcher, or other
authorized person shall transport such dog/cat to the pound under contract to the
city. Any dog/cat so impounded shall be kept continuously confined for a period
of fourteen (14) days from the day the dog/cat bit a human being. The cost of
such impounding and confinement shall be borne by the owner of the dog/cat, if
such owner can be found, which costs shall be as stated for impounding and
confinement elsewhere in this article.
b. Upon learning that a dog/cat has bitten a human being, the peace
officer, dog/cat catcher, or other authorized person shall immediately notify the
City Health Officer and inform him/her of the place where the dog/cat is
impounded. It shall be the duty of the City Health Officer to inspect said dog/cat
from time to time during its period of fourteen (14) days' confinement, and to
determine whether or not such dog/cat may be infected with rabies. For this
purpose, he/she shall have access to the premises where such dog/cat is kept at
all reasonable hours, and may take possession of the dog/cat and confine it at
such place as he/she deems appropriate at the expense of the owner.
c. If an owner has impounded a dog/cat pursuant to the request of a
peace officer, dog/cat catcher, or other authorized person, the owner shall
promptly transport said dog/cat to the pound under contract to the city for the
purposes stated above. If the owner refuses to do so, and refuses to allow a
peace officer, dog/cat catcher or other authorized person to transport the dog/cat
to the contract pound, the owner shall be in violation of this article.
B. Notice Of Impoundment:
1. Posted Notice: Upon taking up and impounding any dog or cat, the animal
control officer shall, within one day thereafter, have posted in the City Hall a
notice of impounding in substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDING DOG/CAT.-
Date 120
To whom it may concern:
We have this day taken up and impounded in the pound of the city at
, a dog/cat answering the following description: sex _
color breed approximate age name of owner (if
known)
Notice is hereby given that unless said dog/cat is claimed and redeemed on
or before o'clock_ .M., on the day of , 20 , the
same will be sold or humanely destroyed as provided by ordinance.
Signed:
Animal control officer/city official
2. Written Notice: If the owner of said dog or cat be known, written notice of
impounding, in lieu of posted notice, shall be given to the owner thereof either by
mail or personal service.
3. Effect Of Notices: The date of sale or humane destruction of the dog or cat
shall be the sixth day after posting of the notice or giving notice unless the animal
shelter at which the dog or cat is impounded is closed to the public, in which
case, it shall be the following day.
C. Redemption Of Impounded Dogs And Cats: Any dog or cat may be reclaimed
from the animal shelter by its owner within the time specified in the notice by the
payment to the City Clerk or his/her designate of the license fee (if not paid for
the current period) with an impounding fee as set by contract with the city's
animal control officer. Notwithstanding this subsection, the owner shall remain
subject to all penalties contained in this article.
D. Disposition Of Unclaimed Dogs And Cats:
1. Sale: Any dog or cat which is not claimed as provided in Subsection B of this
section, within five (5) days, after posting of the impoundment notice, may be
sold for not less than the expenses incurred for impoundment, if not requested by
a licensed educational or scientific institution under Minnesota state law. All sums
received from the sale of dogs or cats under this subsection shall be deposited
into the general fund of the city.
2. Destruction: Any dog or cat which is not claimed by the owner or sold or
transferred to a licensed educational or scientific institution shall be painlessly
and humanely destroyed and buried by the animal control officer.
5-1A-10: ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS: The City Council may from time to time
appoint such persons as may be necessary to assist the police officers of the city in the
enforcement of this article. Such persons shall have police powers insofar as is
necessary to enforce this article, and no person shall interfere with, hinder, or molest
them in the exercise of such powers.
5-1A-11: CITATIONS: The animal control officer, or his/her designee, shall be
authorized to issue citations for violations of this article.
5-1A-12: VIOLATION; PENALTY: Any person who shall violate any provision of
this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
punished as defined by state law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover on this 2nd day of March 2020.
ATTEST: CITY OF ANDOVER
Michelle Hartner, City Clerk Julie Trude, Mayor
CITY OF ANDOVER
COUNTY OF ANOKA
STATE OF MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 503 SUMMARY
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE 5: POLICE REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 1:
ANIMAL CONTROL, ARTICLE A: DOGS AND CATS
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION AND POLICY
Statutory Authorization
This ordinance amendment is adopted pursuant to the authorization and policies contained in Minnesota
Statute 412.
Policy
The purpose of these regulations is to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The existing language of
City Code Title 5, Chapter 1, Article A was repealed and replaced with revised language under the same name.
Revised language added clarification for procedures on dangerous dogs, better aligned the Ordinance with
State Statute and restructured the existing City Code into a more logical order. All City policies contained
within the existing Ordinance remain in effect as previously legislated.
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND
Jurisdiction
The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to the City of Andover.
Enforcement
The City Administrator or his/her designee shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this
ordinance.
Interpretation
Interpretation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements and shall be
liberally construed in the favor of the governing body.
A printed copy of this ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular hours of the City
Clerk.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Andover on this 2nd day of March 2020.
ATTEST: CITY OF ANDOVER
c
Mi elle Harmer, City Clerk J i Trude, Mayor