Ordinance 518CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO.518
AMENDING CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 5,
OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE CONCERNING
DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS
The purpose of this code amendment is to provide a purpose and intent; incorporate
references to State Statute; provide additional definitions; regulate potentially dangerous
dogs; regulate dangerous dogs; require dangerous dog registration; provide appeals
processes; permit confiscation of said dogs; permit destruction of said dogs; provide
criminal penalties; provide for restrictions on dog ownership; require quarantine of said
dogs; and assign costs for administration of this ordinance.
A printed copy of Ordinance No. 518 is available for inspection by any person
during regular office hours at the office of the City Manager/Clerk.
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION this 101h day of
January, 2011, by the City Council of the City of Chanhassen.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager/Clerk
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on January 20, 2011)
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 518
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5
OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
REGULATING DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 5, Article II, Division 5 of the Chanhassen City Code is amended in its
entirety to provide as follows:
DIVISION 5. DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS
Sec. 5-76. Purpose and Intent.
Dogs classified as "Dangerous" or "Potentially Dangerous" pose a direct threat to the
people, domestic animals and livestock in Chanhassen. The intent of this Ordinance is to protect
the public against the health and safety risks posed by Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dogs.
Sec. 5-77. Incorporation by reference.
Minnesota Statutes Sections 347.50 through 347.565 are incorporated herein by reference.
When the provisions of this Ordinance impose greater restrictions than those of any other statute,
ordinance, rule, or regulation, the provisions of this Ordinance shall be controlling. Where the
provisions of any other statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation impose greater restrictions than this
Ordinance, the provision of such statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation shall be controlling.
Sec.5-78. Definitions.
For the purpose of this Ordinance, the terms defined in this section shall have the following
meanings assigned to them:
Animal Control Authority means the City or any law enforcement agent or other public official
acting under its direction and control. Additionally, "Animal Control Authority" shall mean any
individual, organization, partnership, or entity operating under contract to perform animal control
operations pursuant to a written agreement authorized and approved by the City.
Bodily Harm, Great Bodily Harm, and Substantial Bodily Harm have the meanings given them
under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02.
City means the City of Chanhassen, a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota.
Dangerous Dog means any dog that has:
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i. Without provocation, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being on public or
private property; or
ii. When unprovoked, engaged in any attack on any person under circumstances which
indicated danger to personal safety; or
iii. Killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the Owner's property; or
iv. Been found to be potentially dangerous, and after the Owner has received notice that
the dog is potentially dangerous, the dog aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the
safety of humans or domestic animals; or
V. When unprovoked, has bitten one (1) or more persons on two (2) or more separate
occasions; or
vi. Been or will be used, trained, or encouraged to fight with another animal; or whose
Owner has in their custody or possession any training apparatus, paraphernalia, or
drugs used to prepare such dog for fighting with another animal.
Hearing means a proceeding conducted by a Hearing Officer in accordance with the
requirements of this Ordinance.
Hearing Officer means the City Manager, or any Hearing Officer appointed by the City
Manager.
Kill, Kills or Killed means any act in which there is a direct causal connection between the
act of the attacking dog and the death of the person or other animal. For domestic animals
which were euthanized following such an attack, "Killed" or "Kills" shall mean the death
was the direct consequence of the attack, extensive veterinarian assistance would be futile,
and that euthanasia merely hastened the inevitable death of the victim animal.
Owner means any person, firm, corporation, organization, or department possessing,
harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having care, custody, or control of a dog. Any
person in possession of a dog five (5) consecutive days or more shall, for the purposes of
this Ordinance, be deemed to be an Owner thereof.
Potentially Dangerous Dog means any dog that:
When unprovoked, inflicts a bite on a human or domestic animal on public or private
property; or
ii. 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; or
iii Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury
or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
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Proper Enclosure means securely confined indoors, or in a securely enclosed and locked
pen or structure outdoors, suitable to prevent the animal from escaping and providing the
dog protection 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 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. Such enclosure shall not
allow the egress of the animal in any manner without human assistance.
A pen or kennel, in order to qualify as a Proper Enclosure, shall meet the following
minimum specifications:
The overall floor size shall have a minimum area of thirty-two square feet (32 sq. ft.);
ii. Sidewalls shall have a minimum height of five feet (5 ft.) and be constructed of 11-
gauge or heavier wire. Openings in the wire shall not exceed two inches (2 in.),
support posts shall be one and one -quarter -inch (11/a m.) or larger steel pipe buried in
the ground eighteen inches (18 in.) or more. When a concrete floor is not provided,
the sidewalls shall be buried a minimum of eighteen inches (18 in.) into the ground;
iii. A cover over the entire pen or kennel shall be provided, 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 (2 in.); and
iv. 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 (2 in.).
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. The area under the gate shall be
constructed and maintained in such a way as to prevent the dog from digging under the
gate.
Unprovoked means the condition in which the dog is not purposely excited, stimulated,
agitated, or disturbed. Any attack on a child fourteen (14) years of age or younger is
presumed to be unprovoked. This presumption can be rebutted if sufficient evidence is
shown to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child was engaged in the commission of
a crime or illegal activity, including activities classified under Minnesota Statute Section
343 as cruelty to animals.
Sec. 5-79. Potentially Dangerous Dog.
(a) Designation. Following the investigation of a dog attack incident, the Animal Control
Authority shall review all reports. Following that review, the Animal Control Authority
shall designate any dog Potentially Dangerous if there is a preponderance of evidence that
the dog acted in a manner defined in Section 5-78 as potentially dangerous.
(b) Notice. Upon determination that a dog is Potentially Dangerous, the Animal Control
Authority shall provide a written Notice of Potentially Dangerous Dog to the Owner of
record, or if there is no Owner of record, any Owner of such dog by personally serving the
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Owner or a person of suitable age and discretion at the residence of such Owner. Service
upon any Owner shall be effective as to all Owners. The notice shall state the dates, times,
places, and facts of the incidents which form the basis for the determination and shall
include the following:
(1) A description of the dog deemed to be Potentially Dangerous;
(2) The factual basis for that determination; and
(3) The identity of the official who made the determination.
(4) The Notice shall also set forth the restrictions imposed upon a Potentially Dangerous
Dog under this Ordinance.
(5) The Notice shall also advise the Owner(s) that they have five (5) days to ask the
Assistant City Manager to review the designation and shall include a pre-printed form
that the Owner may use to request the review. The request for a review shall be made
directly to the Assistant City Manager and must be submitted in writing.
(6) If the Owner does not request a review within the allotted five (5) days, the designation
of Potentially Dangerous Dog as issued in the written Notice of Potentially Dangerous
Dog will stand, and the Owner will be subject to all restrictions and requirements as set
forth in the Notice by the Animal Control Authority.
(c) Appeal of a Potentially Dangerous Dog Designation.
(1) Within five (5) business days of being notified that their dog has been designated a
Potentially Dangerous Dog by the Animal Control Authority, the Owner or custodian
of the dog may request a review of the designation in writing on a form provided by
the Animal Control Authority and may submit written and other documentary evidence
that disputes the designation to the Assistant City Manager, who shall make a decision
within seven (7) days following the receipt of the written request, based only upon the
written evidence.
(2) Within five (5) business days after a potentially Dangerous Dog designation is
confirmed by the Assistant City Manager, the Owner or custodian of the dog may
request a Hearing to contest the designation. The request for a Hearing shall be made
in writing on a form provided by the City.
(3) The Hearing shall be held before the City Manager or by an independent hearing
examiner selected by the City Manager, not more than fifteen (15) days after receipt of
the request for Hearing. The Hearing Officer may allow the Hearing date to be
extended beyond the fifteen (15) day period for good cause. Any dog Owner who
requests such a Hearing is liable to the City for all costs and expenses related to the
Hearing.
(4) The Hearing Officer shall hear testimony of the parties and their witnesses and shall
consider exhibits offered by the parties. At the Hearing, both the Owner and the
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Animal Control Authority may present the testimony of live witnesses, cross-examine
witnesses, and present documentary evidence. The party offering an exhibit shall mark
the party's name on the exhibit in a manner that will not obscure the exhibit. All
exhibits will be returned to the parties at the conclusion of the hearing unless otherwise
ordered by the Hearing Officer. The records of the Animal Control Authority, any
police reports relating to an attack or bite, medical records, and all reliable hearsay
shall be admissible for consideration by the Hearing Officer without further
foundation. The Animal Control Authority and the dog's Owner may apply to the
District Court for subpoenas for Hearings.
(5) The City shall have the burden of proving the dog is Potentially Dangerous by a
preponderance of the evidence.
(6) The Hearing Officer shall make a final decision within seven (7) days of the Hearing.
After considering all evidence pertaining to the dog, the Hearing Officer shall issue a
written order which rejects or upholds the determination. If the Hearing Officer
upholds the determination of Potentially Dangerous, the order may affirm or modify
the conditions recommended by the Animal Control Authority. If, as a result of
testimony or other evidence at the Hearing, there are grounds for declaring the dog to
be a Dangerous Dog pursuant to Section 5-80 of this Ordinance, the Hearing Officer
may change the designation and issue the appropriate orders. The petitioner shall pay
the Hearing Officer's fees, unless the City's designation is set aside.
(7) The decision of the Hearing Officer is a quasi-judicial determination that is subject to
review by writ of certiorari to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
(8) Except to the extent that a court or Hearing Officer finds that the seizure or
impoundment was not substantially justified by law, the Owner or person claiming an
interest in the dog is liable for all actual costs of care, keeping, and disposal of the dog.
The costs must be paid in full, or a mutually satisfactory arrangement for payment
must be made between the City and the person claiming an interest in the dog, before
the dog is returned to the person. If the Owner or person claiming an interest in the
dog does not pay the costs in full or enter into a payment schedule, the Owner or
person claiming an interest in the dog shall forfeit all rights and interests in the dog.
(9) The Animal Control Authority, or Hearing Officer, may, upon the written request of
the Owner, review the status of a dog which has been determined to be Potentially
Dangerous if a period of two (2) years has passed without any further incidents or
violations of this Ordinance and may use discretion in determining whether any
conditions which have been ordered are still required. If the review is conducted by
the Hearing Officer, the burden of proof shall be upon the dog's Owner, and the
standard of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence. The Owner must provide
evidence that the dog's behavior has changed due to the dog's age, neutering,
environment, completion of obedience training that includes modification of
aggressive behavior, or other factors. This designation may be reviewed again no
sooner than one year following the Hearing Officer's most recent order regarding the
designation of the dog as potentially dangerous. An administrative hearing fee shall
be required prior to such a review. In the event that the Potentially Dangerous Dog
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designation is upheld by the Hearing Officer, all actual expenses of the Hearing will
be the responsibility of the dog's Owner.
(10) If the Hearing Officer confirms the Potentially Dangerous Dog designation, the Owner
or custodian of the dog shall complete the Potentially Dangerous Dog Registration
form and file it with the City Clerk with evidence as set forth in Section 5-79(d)l
through 7 of this Ordinance within fourteen (14) days of the final decision.
(d) Potentially Dangerous Dog Requirements
(1) Any dog determined to be Potentially Dangerous shall have a microchip implanted.
(2) The Owner of a dog may be required to enroll the dog in and complete an approved
dog obedience class within a designated period of time and provide proof of
completion to the Animal Control Authority;
(3) The dog may be required to be kept in a Proper Enclosure, or restrained by chain or
leash not to exceed six feet (6 ft.) in length, and/or muzzled, and under the control of a
responsible person eighteen (18) years of age or older at all times it is outdoors and not
inside a Proper Enclosure;
(4) The Owner may be required to post a notice on the property where the dog resides.
Such notice shall include a warning symbol that children can understand, containing a
written notice and warning that a Potentially Dangerous Dog is present on the
property. Such signs shall conform to the requirements set forth in Minnesota Statute
Section 347.51, subdivision 2a;
(5) The Owner may be required to show proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination and, if
required, licensing;
(6) The dog may be required to wear, at all times, a tag or marker identifying it as a
Potentially Dangerous Dog; and
(7) The dog may be required to be sterilized within thirty (30) days of the Owner
receiving notice.
See. 5-80. Dangerous Dogs.
(a) Designation. Following the investigation of a dog attack incident, the Animal Control
Authority shall review all reports. Following that review, the Animal Control Authority
shall designate any dog Dangerous if a preponderance of evidence exists that the dog acted
in a manner defined in Section 5-78 as a dangerous dog.
(b) Impound. The Animal Control Authority may impound, at the animal Owner's expense, any
dog determined to pose a threat to public safety pending a final Dangerous Dog designation
order. The Animal Control Authority shall quarantine, at the animal Owner's expense, any
dog without proof of current rabies vaccination upon receiving evidence that the dog has
bitten any person or domestic animal. Any person who fails or refuses to release a dog to the
Animal Control Authority or law enforcement agent upon demand, or after it has been found
by a Hearing Officer to be Dangerous and ordered into custody, at any time in the
investigation, review or requirement stages as described in any part of this ordinance, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Notice.
(1) Upon a designation that a dog is Dangerous, the Animal Control Authority shall
provide a written Notice of Dangerous Dog to the Owner of record or, if none, to any
Owner of such dog by personally serving the Owner or a person of suitable age and
discretion at the residence of such Owner. Service upon any Owner shall be effective
as to all Owners. The notice shall state the dates, times, places, and facts of the
incidents which form the basis for the determination and include the following:
a. A description of the dog deemed to be Dangerous;
b. The factual basis for that determination; and
C. The identity of the official who made the determination.
(2) The Notice shall also set forth the registration requirements and other restrictions
imposed upon a Dangerous Dog under this Ordinance or Minnesota Statutes Chapter
347.
(3) The Notice shall also advise the Owner(s) that they have five (5) days to appeal the
determination by requesting a Hearing before the Hearing Officer and shall include a
pre-printed form which the Owner can use to request a Hearing. The request for a
Hearing shall be made directly to the City Manager and must be submitted in writing.
(4) If the Owner does not request a Hearing within the allotted ten (10) days, the
designation of Dangerous Dog as issued in the written Notice of Dangerous Dog will
stand, and the Owner will be subject to all restrictions and requirements as set forth in
the Notice by the Animal Control Authority.
(d) Appeal of Dangerous Dog Designation.
(1) Within five (5) days after receiving notice of a Dangerous Dog designation, the Owner
or custodian of the dog may request a Hearing to contest the designation. The request
for a Hearing shall be made in writing on a form provided by the Animal Control
Authority.
(2) Except as otherwise described in this section, the Hearing shall be conducted pursuant
to the requirements of Section 5-79(c) of this Ordinance.
(3) Pending a hearing, the dog may be seized and held by the Animal Control Authority at
a place of the Animal Control Authority's designation unless the Owner shows proof
that the dog is properly licensed, if required; has met the requirement for rabies
vaccinations; keeps the dog only in a Proper Enclosure unless restrained on a leash
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with a muzzle; and otherwise demonstrates to the Animal Control Authority that the
dog, under its present circumstances, does not present an unreasonable risk of harm to
persons or other domestic animals.
(4) After considering all evidence pertaining to the dog, the Hearing Officer shall make
such order(s) as the Hearing Officer deems proper including ordering the Animal
Control Authority to take the dog into custody if the dog is not currently in custody.
(e) Authority to Order Destruction. The Hearing Officer, upon finding that a dog is Dangerous
hereunder, is authorized to order, as part of the disposition of the case, that the dog be
destroyed based on a written order containing findings of fact establishing that each of the
following criteria are present:
(1) The dog is Dangerous as demonstrated by a vicious attack, an unprovoked attack, an
attack without warning, or multiple attacks; and
(2) The Owner of the dog has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to sufficiently
control the dog in order to prevent injury to persons or other animals; and
(3) The Owner cannot, will not, does not, or otherwise refuses to provide proof of the
liability insurance for the dog as required by Section 5-80(g)(3)(c) this Ordinance.
(f) Cost. The Owner or person claiming an interest in the dog is liable for all actual costs of
care, keeping, and disposal of the dog, except to the extent that a court or Hearing Officer
finds that the seizure or impoundment was not substantially justified by law. The costs must
be paid in full, or a mutually satisfactory arrangement for payment must be made between
the City and the person claiming an interest in the dog, before the dog is returned to the
person.
(g) Dangerous Dog Registration.
(1) Requirements. For any dog determined or declared to be Dangerous by operation of
this Ordinance, 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
Ordinance or state law.
(2) Registration. No person may own or possess a Dangerous Dog in this City unless the
dog is registered as provided in this Ordinance 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
thirty (30) days after the date the dog was so deemed.
(3) 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:
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a. The Owner provides and maintains a Proper Enclosure for the Dangerous Dog,
as defined in Section 5-78 of this Ordinance; and
b. The Owner posts clearly visible warning symbol, 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 symbol must meet the
requirements set forth in Minnesota Statute Section 347.51, Subdivision 2a;
and
C. The Owner provides, and annually shows proof of, public liability insurance
pre -paid in full in the minimum amount of five -hundred thousand dollars
($500,000.00) per person and one -million dollars ($1,000,000.00) 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 five -hundred thousand dollars
($500,000.00) per person and one -million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per incident
insuring the Owner for any personal injuries inflicted by the Dangerous Dog;
and
d. The Owner pays the annual registration fee set by the City; and
An identification microchip was implanted in the dog as required under
Minnesota Statutes Section 347.515; and
The Owner provides proof that all applicable dog licensing requirements are
met; and
g. The Owner provides proof that the dog is current on all commonly required
vaccines; and
h. The dog must be sterilized. If proof of the sterilization is not delivered to the
Animal Control Authority within thirty (30) days of the designation of a dog as
dangerous, the Animal Control Authority shall seize the dog and have it
sterilized at the Owner's expense. If the owner does not surrender the dog after
the 30-day period expires, then the Animal Control Authority may seize the
dog pursuant to Section 5-81 of this Ordinance.
An Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall renew the registration of the dog annually
until the dog is deceased.
(h) 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 Ordinance, including all
registration requirements imposed by this Section or applicable state law, have been
complied with. The Owner shall have a maximum of thirty (30) days to comply with all
requirements. The Owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred in the seizure and
boarding of the dog, prior or the dog's return.
(i) Revocation.
(1) Any Certificate of Registration for a Dangerous Dog may be revoked, 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 Ordinance or
applicable state law. The provisions of Sections 5-81 and 5-82 of this Ordinance,
applicable to the seizure and disposition of dogs, shall apply when the certificate of
registration is revoked.
(2) The Animal Control Authority shall serve upon the Owner a written Notice setting
forth the alleged reasons for the finding that the dog is not being kept in conformance
with this Ordinance 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 twenty (20) days of the date of the Notice, and shall comply
with all the requirements as set forth in Section 5-79(c) of this Ordinance. The
Hearing Officer may allow the Hearing date to be extended beyond the twenty (20)
day period for good cause.
(3) If a Dangerous Dog Certificate of Registration is revoked following the 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 thirty (30) days, to comply
with all registration requirements.
(j) 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, the relocation of the dog, or
the transfer of the dog outside of the City to a new jurisdiction, within thirty (30) days of the
death or relocation. An Owner shall, if instructed 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.
(k) 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.
(1) Dangerous Dog Requirements.
(1) Requirements. For any dog determined or declared to be Dangerous by operation of
this Ordinance, 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
Ordinance or state law.
(2) Restraint. An Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall, at all times, keep the dog, while on
the Owner's property, in a Proper Enclosure as defined by Section 5-78 of this
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Ordinance. If for any reason and at any time a Dangerous Dog is not in a Proper
Enclosure, the Dangerous Dog must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain
or leash not to exceed six feet (6 ft.) in length and under the physical restraint of a
responsible person eighteen (18) years of age or older. The muzzle, chain, and leash
must all be of such a design, manufacture, and maintained in a condition that will
prevent the dog from biting any person or animal, but that will not cause injury to the
dog or interfere with its vision or respiration.
(3) Leased Property. A person who owns a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog and
who rents property from another where the dog will reside shall disclose to the
property Owner, prior to when the dog begins to reside on the property, or prior to
entering the lease agreement, and at the time of any lease renewal, that the person
owns a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog that will reside at the property.
(4) Warning Symbol. If the City issues a Certificate of Registration to the Owner of a
Dangerous Dog pursuant to this Ordinance, the City must provide, for posting on the
Owner's property, an adequate number of warning symbols to inform all persons,
including children, that there is a Dangerous Dog on the property. The design of the
warning symbol must be uniform with any specifications for such a sign as issued by
the Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, if any, and shall otherwise be obtained
by the City from the Commissioner of Public Safety. The City will charge the Owner
a reasonable fee to cover its administrative costs and the cost of the warning symbol.
(5) Tag. A Dangerous Dog registered under this section shall have a standardized, easily
identifiable tag identifying the dog as Dangerous and containing the uniform
Dangerous Dog symbol, as developed by the Commissioner of Public Safety or the
Animal Control Authority, affixed to the dog's collar at all times.
(6) Property Inspection. The Owner of a Dangerous Dog shall permit the Animal Control
Authority and/or Law Enforcement to enter the property where a Dangerous Dog is
kept or located, at all hours reasonable under the circumstances, without a warrant or
other advance judicial process, to inspect the premises so as to ensure compliance with
the provisions of this Ordinance, applicable state statutes, order from a Hearing
Officer, or directive from the Animal Control Authority. The failure of an Owner to
permit such inspection is, by itself, a ground to immediately seize the dog pursuant to
Section 5-81 of this Ordinance and revoke the Dangerous Dog registration pursuant to
Section 5-80(i) of this Ordinance.
(7) Violation. The Animal Control Authority shall immediately seize a Dangerous Dog if
requirements imposed by this ordinance are not followed. The Owner or custodian
may reclaim the dog upon payment of impounding and boarding fees and upon
presenting proof to the Animal Control Authority that the requirements of Minnesota
Statutes Sections 347.51 and 347.52 have been met. A Dangerous Dog not reclaimed
under this section within fourteen (14) days may be disposed of as provided by law,
and the Owner is liable to the Animal Control Authority for costs incurred in confining
and disposing of the dog.
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(8) Review of Conditions. If, in reviewing the conditions for keeping a Dangerous Dog,
there have been no ordinance violations for a period of two (2) years, the Animal
Control Authority or Hearing Officer may use discretion in determining whether the
conditions set forth above are still required.
(9) Review of Designation. The Animal Control Authority or Hearing Officer may, upon
the written request of the Owner, review the status of a dog which has been determined
to be Dangerous if a period of two (2) years has passed without any further incidents or
violations of this Ordinance and may use discretion in determining whether any
conditions which have been ordered are still required. If the review is conducted by
the Hearing Officer, the burden of proof shall be upon the dog's Owner and the
standard of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence. The Owner must provide
evidence that the dog's behavior has changed due to the dog's age, neutering,
environment, completion of obedience training that includes modification of
aggressive behavior, or other factors. This designation may be reviewed again no
sooner than one year following the Hearing Officer's most recent order regarding the
designation of the dog as dangerous. An administrative hearing fee shall be required
prior to such a review. In the event that the Dangerous Dog designation is upheld by
the Hearing Officer, all actual expenses of the Hearing will be the responsibility of the
dog's Owner.
(m) Microchip Identification. It shall be the responsibility of each Owner of any dog kept or
harbored within the City and determined to be a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog
under this Ordinance, court order, state statute, designation from the Animal Control
Authority, or a substantially similar ordinance from another jurisdiction to ensure that a
microchip is implanted in the dog for identification. The name of the microchip
manufacturer and identification number of the microchip must be provided to the Animal
Control Authority. If the microchip is not implanted by the Owner, the Animal Control
Authority may seize the dog to have a microchip implanted by a qualified veterinarian,
clinic or shelter staff. In either case, all costs related to purchase and implantation of the
microchip must be borne by the dog's Owner.
Sec.5-81. Confiscation.
(a) Seizure. The Animal Control Authority shall immediately seize any Dangerous Dog or
Potentially Dangerous Dog if:
(1) After thirty (30) days after the Owner has notice that the dog is Dangerous or
Potentially Dangerous, the dog is not validly registered under this Ordinance or
applicable state law;
(2) After thirty (30) days after the Owner has notice that the dog is Dangerous, the Owner
does not secure the proper liability insurance or surety coverage as required under this
Ordinance;
(3) The dog is not maintained in a Proper Enclosure as defined in Section 5-78 of this
Ordinance;
12
(4) The dog is outside the Proper Enclosure and not under the proper physical restraint of
a responsible person as required under this Ordinance or any applicable state law; or
(5) The Owner is served with written notice, by certified mail to the Owner's last known
address, that the Owner is in violation of any of the requirements of this Ordinance or
any applicable state statute, or is in violation of any directive issued by the Animal
Control Authority or order from a Hearing Officer, and within thirty (30) days of
service of such written notice, has refused or failed to achieve satisfactory compliance;
or
(6) The Animal Control Authority has reason to believe that the dog is a Dangerous or
Potentially Dangerous Dog and is kept or maintained under conditions or
circumstances creating an unacceptable risk of harm to physical persons or other
domesticated animals; or
(7) For any other reason authorized by law.
(b) Additional Dogs Subject to Seizure.
(1) Any dog found to be in circumstances, which, to a reasonable person, indicate that the
dog has been or will be used, trained, or encouraged to fight with another animal, or
any animal whose Owner has in custody or possession any training apparatus,
paraphernalia, or drugs used to prepare such dog to be fought with another animal is
hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be immediately seized and held.
(2) Any dog may be seized and held to determine if rabid.
(3) Any dog which meets the definitions found in Section 5-78 of this Ordinance may be
seized and held by the Animal Control Authority at a place designated by the Animal
Control Authority pending a determination whether the animal is Dangerous or
Potentially Dangerous.
(c) Reclaiming Dom. A dog seized under this Ordinance may be released to the Owner upon
payment of impounding and boarding fees and upon presenting proof to the Animal Control
Authority that all requirements of this Ordinance and state law have been or will be met. A
dog not reclaimed under this subdivision within five (5) days may be disposed of as
provided under Minnesota Statutes Section 35.71, Subdivision 3, and the Owner is liable to
the Animal Control Authority for costs incurred in confining and disposing of the dog.
(d) Subsequent Offenses. If a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor for violating a
provision of this Ordinance and the person is charged with a subsequent violation relating to
the same dog, the dog shall be seized by the Animal Control Authority. If the Owner is
convicted of the crime for which the dog was seized, the Court shall order the dog be
destroyed in a proper and humane manner and order the Owner to pay the cost of confining
and destroying the dog. If the person is not convicted of the crime for which the dog was
seized, the Owner may reclaim the dog upon payment to the Animal Control Authority of a
fee for the care and boarding of the dog. If the dog is not reclaimed by the Owner within
thirty (30) days after the Owner has been notified that the dog may be reclaimed, the dog
13
may be disposed of as provided under Minnesota Statutes Section 35.71, Subdivision 3. The
Owner is liable to the Animal Control Authority for the costs incurred in confining,
impounding, and disposing of the dog.
Sec. 5-82. Destruction of Dogs.
(a) Upon Infliction of Death or Bodily Harm. A dog that, when unprovoked, inflicted death or
Substantial or Great Bodily Harm on a human being on public or private property, or when
Unprovoked, bit multiple human victims on public or private property in the same attack
may be destroyed in a proper and humane manner by the Animal Control Authority. The
Animal Control Authority may not destroy the dog until the dog Owner is provided the
opportunity for a Hearing before a Hearing Officer, as set forth in this Ordinance.
(b) Suffering Beyond Cure. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Ordinance, any dog
taken into custody may be immediately disposed of when the dog is suffering and is beyond
cure through reasonable care and treatment, upon a proper determination by a licensed
doctor of veterinary medicine. The City shall recover from the dog's Owner all costs
incurred under this section.
(c) Unclaimed Dogs. At the expiration of the time a dog is impounded as provided for in this
Ordinance, if the dog has not been reclaimed in accordance with the provisions hereof, it
shall be the duty of the Animal Control Authority to cause such dog to be destroyed
according to the most humane and approved methods or otherwise disposed of pursuant to
Minnesota Statute Section 343.
(d) No Appeal. If no appeal is filed, the Dangerous Dog designation will stand and the animal
may be destroyed. The dog Owner shall pay for the cost of the dog's destruction pursuant to
Minnesota Statute Section 347.56.
Sec. 5-83. Criminal Penalty.
(a) The Owner of a dog declared Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous who fails to comply with
the requirements of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor with penalties as
provided under Minnesota law.
(b) It is a misdemeanor to remove a microchip from a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog;
to fail to renew the registration of a Dangerous Dog; to fail to account for a Dangerous Dog's
death, transfer of ownership, or removal from the jurisdiction; to sign a false affidavit with
respect to a Dangerous Dog's death, transfer of ownership, or removal from the jurisdiction;
or to fail to disclose ownership of a Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous Dog to a property
owner from whom the person rents property.
See.5-84. Restrictions.
(a) Dog Ownership Prohibited. Except as otherwise provided by this statute or Minnesota law
no person may own a dog if the person has:
(1) Been convicted of a third or subsequent violation of Section 5-83 of this Ordinance;
14
(2) Been convicted of a violation under section Minnesota Statute Sections 609.205,
subdivision 4;
(3) Been convicted of a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute Sections 609.226,
subdivision l;
(4) Been convicted of a violation under section Minnesota Statute Sections 609.226,
subdivision 2; or
(5) Has a dog ordered destroyed under Section 5-82 and been convicted of one or more
violations of Minnesota Statute Sections 609.226, subdivision 2.
(b) Household member. If any member of a household is prohibited from owning a dog in
Section 5-84(a) of this Ordinance, unless specifically approved with or without restriction by
an Animal Control Authority, no person in the household is permitted to own a dog.
(c) Dog Ownership Prohibition Review. Beginning three (3) years after a conviction listed in
Section 5-84(a) of this Ordinance that prohibits a person from owning a dog, and annually
thereafter, the person may request that the Animal Control Authority review the prohibition.
The Animal Control Authority may consider such facts as the seriousness of the violation or
violations that led to the prohibition, any criminal convictions, or other facts that the Animal
Control Authority deem appropriate. The Animal Control Authority may rescind the
prohibition entirely or rescind it with limitations. The Animal Control Authority also may
establish conditions a person must meet before the prohibition is rescinded, including, but
not limited to, successfully completing dog training or dog handling courses. If the Animal
Control Authority rescinds a person's prohibition and the person subsequently fails to
comply with any limitation imposed by the Animal Control Authority or the person is
convicted of any animal violation involving unprovoked bites or dog attacks, the Animal
Control Authority may permanently prohibit the person from owning a dog in this City.
See.5-85. Exemptions.
(a) The provisions of this section do not apply to police K-9 dogs used by law enforcement
officials for police work.
(b) Dogs may not be declared Dangerous or Potentially Dangerous if the threat, injury, or
damage was sustained by a person:
(1) Who was committing, at the time, a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises
occupied by the Owner of the dog;
(2) Who was provoking, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog or who can be shown
to have repeatedly, in the past, provoked, tormented, abused, or assaulted the dog; or
(3) Who was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
15
Sec. 5-86. Rabies Quarantine.
Whenever any dog has bitten any person or domestic animal and the Owner or custodian
does not provide proof of current rabies vaccination, the Owner or custodian of the dog, upon being
notified by the Animal Control Authority or local law enforcement, will immediately cause the dog
to be quarantined, in either a Proper Enclosure, as defined in Section 5-78, or if the animal control
officer feels it is needed, at a state -licensed veterinarian, and in a manner that is in accord with all
applicable Minnesota Statutes, administrative rules, and Minnesota Department of Health
guidelines, with the Animal Control Authority, or by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the State
of Minnesota, for a period of ten (10) days after the dog bite occurred.
Within twenty-four (24) hours of impoundment, the dog Owner or custodian will have the
dog examined by a state -licensed veterinarian who will observe the animal and examine the animal
if necessary to ascertain whether symptoms of rabies exist. At the end of the ten (10) day
quarantine period, the dog will again be examined by a state licensed veterinarian. If the
veterinarian diagnoses the dog to be free of the signs of rabies, the dog will be released from
quarantine. If the dog becomes ill or dies during the period of quarantine, the Owner shall
immediately notify the Animal Control Authority for examination by a state licensed veterinarian.
If the veterinarian determines that the dog has rabies, the dog shall immediately be euthanized in a
humane manner. Upon the death of the dog, its head will be sent to the State Department of Health,
the University of Minnesota, or another appropriate agency as designated by the State of Minnesota
for examination for rabies.
See.5-87. Cost.
The Owner is responsible for the cost of seizures, impoundment, quarantine, examination by
a veterinarian, veterinarian services, and disposal of the dog or any other cost incurred as a result of
enforcement of this Ordinance, unless otherwise specified herein.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect
immediately upon its passage and publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this le day of January, 2011, by the City Council of the City of
Chanhassen, Minnesota.
ATTE --
dd rhardt, ger Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Summary Ordinance Published in the Chanhassen Villager on January 20, 1022)
1L
Affidavit of Publication
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN
Southwest Newspapers
COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE
NO. 518
AMENDING CHAPTER 5,
State of Minnesota)
ARTICLE II, DIVISION 5,
OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY
)SS.
CODE CONCERNING
DANGEROUS AND
County of Carver )
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS
DOGS
The purpose of this code
amendment is to provide a purpose
and intent; incorporate references
Laurie A. Hartmann, being duly sworn, on oath says that she is the publisher or the authorized
to State Statute; provide additional
agent of the publisher of the newspapers known as the Chaska Herald and the Chanhassen Vil-
definitions; regulate potentially
lager and has full knowledge of the facts herein stated as follows:
dangerous dogs; regulate dangerous
dogs; require dangerous dog
(A) These newspapers have complied with the requirements constituting qualification as a legal
registration; provide appeals
newspaper, as provided by Minnesota Statute 331 A.02, 331 A.07, and other applicable laws, as
processes; permit confiscation of
amended.
said dogs; permit destruction of said
dogs; provide criminal penalties;
(B) The printed public notice that is attached to this Affidavit and identified as No.
provide for restrictions on dog
ownership; require quarantine of
was published on the date or dates and in the newspaper stated in the attached Notice and said
said dogs; and assign costs for
Notice is hereby incorporated as part of this Affidavit. Said notice was cut from the columns of
administration of this ordinance.
the newspaper specified. Printed below is a copy of the lower case alphabet from A to Z, both
A printed copy of Ordinance No.
inclusive, and is hereby acknowledged as being the kind and size of type used in the composition
518 is available for inspection by
and publication of the Notice:
any person during regular office
hours at the office of the City
Manager/Clerk.
abcdefghijklmnopgrstuvwxyz
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND
APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
day January, 2011, by the
Y �
this 10 of
By. y' V V
City Council of the City of
Chanhassen.
Laurie A. Hartmann
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager/
Clerk
(Published in the Chanhassen
Subscribed and sworn before me on
Villager on Thursday, January 20,
2011; No. 4469)
day 2011
this of
JYMME J. BARK
NOTARY PUBLIC MINNESOTA
-
My Commission Expires 01/31/2013
Not P lc
RATE INFORMATION
Lowest classified rate paid by commercial users for comparable space.... $31.20 per column inch
Maximum rate allowed by law for the above matter ................................. $31.20 per column inch
Rate actually charged for the above matter ............................................... $12.59 per column inch