TITLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS

TITLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS

Chapter

90. ABANDONED PROPERTY

91. ANIMALS

92. HEALTH AND SAFETY; NUISANCES

93. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

CHAPTER 90: ABANDONED PROPERTY

Section
General Provisions

90.01 Disposition of abandoned property

Abandoned Vehicles

90.15 Findings and purpose
90.16 Definitions
90.17 Violation to abandon motor vehicle
90.18 Authority to impound vehicles
90.19 Sale; waiting periods
90.20 Notice of taking and sale
90.21 Right to reclaim
90.22 Operator's deficiency claim; consent to sale
90.23 Disposition by impound lot
90.24 Disposal authority
90.25 Contracts; reimbursement by MPCA

City Employee Purchase of Abandoned Property or Abandoned Vehicles

90.40 May purchase at auction

GENERAL PROVISIONS

' 90.01 DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED PROPERTY.

(A) Procedure. Except for abandoned and junked vehicles, all property lawfully coming into possession of the city shall be disposed of as provided in this section which is adopted pursuant to M.S. ' 471.195, as it may be amended from time to time. Abandoned and junked vehicles shall be disposed of according to the procedures of '' 90.15 et seq.

(B) Storage. The department of the city acquiring possession of the property shall arrange for its storage. If city facilities are unavailable or inadequate, the department may arrange for storage at a privately-owned facility.

(C) Claim by owner. The owner may claim the property by exhibiting satisfactory proof of ownership and paying the city any storage or maintenance costs incurred by it. A receipt for the property shall be obtained upon release to the owner.

(D) Sale. If the property remains unclaimed in the possession of the city for 60 days, the property shall be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction conducted by the City Clerk or his or her designee after two weeks' published notice setting forth the time and place of the sale and the property to be sold.

(E) Disposition of proceeds. The proceeds of the sale shall be placed in the general fund of the city. If the former owner makes application and furnishes satisfactory proof of ownership within six months of the sale, the former owner shall be paid the proceeds of the sale of the property less the costs of storage and the proportionate part of the cost of published notice and other costs of the sale.

ABANDONED VEHICLES
' 90.15 FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.M.S. Ch. 168B, and Minn. Rules Ch. 7035, as they may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference. Sections 90.15 through 90.25 of this code are adopted under the authority of M.S. ' 168B.09, Subd. 2, as it may be amended from time to time. If any of these provisions are less stringent that the provisions of M.S. ' 168B or Minn. Rules Ch. 7035, as it may be amended from time to time, the statute or rule shall take precedence.

' 90.16 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABANDONED VEHICLE.

(1) A motor vehicle, as defined in M.S. ' 169.011, Subd. 42 as it may be amended from time to time, that:

(a) Has remained illegally:

1. For a period of more than 48 hours on any property owned or controlled by a unit of government, or more than four hours on that property when it is properly posted; or

2. On private property for a period of time, as determined under ' 90.18(B), without the consent of the person in control of the property; and

(b) Lacks vital component parts or is in an inoperable condition that it has no substantial potential for further use consistent with its usual functions, unless it is kept in an enclosed garage or storage building.

(2) A classic car or pioneer car, as defined in M.S. ' 168.10 as it may be amended from time to time, is not considered an abandoned vehicle.

(3) Vehicles on the premises of junk yards and automobile graveyards that are defined, maintained, and licensed in accordance with M.S. ' 161.242 as it may be amended from time to time, or that are licensed and maintained in accordance with local laws and zoning regulations, are not considered abandoned vehicles.

(4) A vehicle being held for storage by agreement or being held under police authority or pursuant to a writ or court order is not considered abandoned, nor may it be processed as abandoned while the police hold, writ or court order is in effect.

DEPARTMENT. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

IMPOUND. To take and hold a vehicle in legal custody. There are two types of impounds: public and nonpublic.

IMPOUND LOT OPERATOR or OPERATOR. A person who engages in impounding or storing, usually temporarily, unauthorized or abandoned vehicles. OPERATOR includes an operator of a public or nonpublic impound lot, regardless of whether tow truck service is provided.

JUNK VEHICLE. A vehicle that:

(1) Is three years old or older;

(2) Is extensively damaged, with the damage including things as broken or missing wheels, motor, drive train or transmission;

(3) Is apparently inoperable;

(4) Does not have a valid, current registration plate; and

(5) Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.

MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. Has the meaning given Amotor vehicle@ in M.S. ' 169.011, Subd. 42, as it may be amended from time to time.

MOTOR VEHICLE WASTE. Solid waste and liquid wastes derived in the operation of or in the recycling of a motor vehicle, including such things as tires and used motor oil, but excluding scrap metal.

MPCA or AGENCY. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

NONPUBLIC IMPOUND LOT. An impound lot that is not a public impound lot.

PUBLIC IMPOUND LOT. An impound lot owned by or contracting with a unit of government under ' 90.24.

UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLE. A vehicle that is subject to removal and impoundment pursuant to ' 90.18(B), or M.S. ' 169.041 as it may be amended from time to time, but is not a junk vehicle or an abandoned vehicle.

UNIT OF GOVERNMENT. Includes a state department or agency, a special purpose district, and a county, statutory or home rule charter city, or town.

VITAL COMPONENT PARTS. Those parts of a motor vehicle that are essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle, including such things as the motor, drive train and wheels.

' 90.17 VIOLATION TO ABANDON MOTOR VEHICLE.

Any person who abandons a motor vehicle on any public or private property, without the consent of the person in control of the property, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Penalty, see ' 10.99

' 90.18 AUTHORITY TO IMPOUND VEHICLES.

(A) Abandoned or junk vehicles. The City Clerk or his or her designee or any peace officer employed or whose services are contracted for by the city may take into custody and impound any abandoned or junk vehicle if the vehicle is on public property. If the abandoned or junk vehicle is located on private property, the vehicle shall not be removed or impounded until the provisions of ' 90.18(C) are complied with.

(B) Unauthorized vehicles. The City Clerk, or his or her designee or any peace officer employed or whose services are contracted for by the city may take into custody and impound any unauthorized vehicle under M.S. ' 169.041 as it may be amended from time to time. A vehicle may also be impounded after it has been left unattended in one of the following public or private locations for the indicated period of time:

(1) In a public location not governed by M.S. ' 169.041 as it may be amended from time to time:

(a) On a highway and properly tagged by a peace officer, four hours;

(b) Located so as to constitute an accident or traffic hazard to the traveling public, as determined by a peace officer, immediately; or

(c) That is a parking facility or other public property owned or controlled by a unit of government, properly posted, four hours; or

(2) On private property, only with the express permission of the owner of the property, a resident or other person in control of the premises:

(a) That is single-family or duplex residential property, immediately;

(b) That is private, nonresidential property, properly posted, immediately;

(d) That is any residential property, properly posted, immediately.

(3) If under division (B)(2) of this section, permission is not granted, then the city shall not remove and impound any vehicle until the procedure established in division (C) of this section has been followed.

(C) If the vehicle is on private property, the City Clerk or his or her designee or any peace officer employed or whose services are contracted for by the city may take into custody and impound any abandoned or junk vehicle on private property only with the permission of the owner of the property, a resident, or other person in control of the premises. If permission is denied, the city may declare the existence of the abandoned or junk vehicle to be a nuisance and proceed to abate the nuisance as provided for in '' 92.15 through 92.21. Once the abatement procedure has been completed, the city may apply for an order from a court of competent jurisdiction authorizing the removal and impoundment of the vehicle and, after the order has been granted, the city may then remove and impound the vehicle.

' 90.19 SALE; WAITING PERIODS.

(A) Sale after 15 days. An impounded vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale under ' 90.23, 15 days after notice to the owner, if the vehicle is determined to be:

(1) A junk vehicle, except that it may have a valid, current registration plate and still be eligible for disposal or sale under this subdivision; or

(2) An abandoned vehicle.

(B) Sale after 45 days. An impounded vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale under ' 90.23, 45 days after notice to the owner, if the vehicle is determined to be an unauthorized vehicle or upon the date of a voluntary written title transfer by the registered owner to the impound lot operator.

' 90.20 NOTICE OF TAKING AND SALE.
(A) Contents; notice given within five days. When an impounded vehicle is taken into custody, the city or impound lot operator taking it into custody shall give notice of the taking to the registered owner and any registered lien holders within five days. The notice shall:

(1) Set forth the date and place of the taking; the year, make, model and serial number of the impounded motor vehicle if the information can be reasonably obtained; and the place where the vehicle is being held;

(2) Inform the owner and any lien holders of their right to reclaim the vehicle under ' 90.21; and

(3) State that failure of the owner or lien holders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle and contents within the appropriate time allowed under ' 90.19 shall be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title and interest in the vehicle and contents and a consent to the transfer of title to and disposal or sale of the vehicle and contents pursuant to ' 90.23.

(4) State that the vehicle owner who provides to the impound lot operator documentation from a government or nonprofit agency or legal aid office that the owner is homeless, receives relief based on need, is eligible for legal aid services, or has a household income at or below 50% of the state median income has the unencumbered right to retrieve any and all contents of the vehicle without charge.

(B) Notice by mail or publication. The notice shall be sent by mail to the registered owner, if any, of an impounded vehicle and to all readily identifiable lien holders of record. The Department makes this information available to impound lot operators for notification purposes. If it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and address of the registered owner and all lien holders, the notice shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was towed from or abandoned. Published notices may be grouped together for convenience and economy.

(C) Unauthorized vehicles; notice. If an unauthorized vehicle remains unclaimed after 30 days from the date the notice was sent under division (B) of this section, a second notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered owner, if any, of the unauthorized vehicle and to all readily identifiable lien holders of record.

' 90.21 RIGHT TO RECLAIM.
(A) Payment of charges. The owner or any lien holder of an impounded vehicle shall have a right to reclaim the vehicle from the city or impound lot operator taking it into custody upon payment of all towing and storage charges resulting from taking the vehicle into custody within 15 or 45 days, as applicable under ' 90.19, after the date of the notice required by ' 90.20.

(B) Lien holders. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impair any lien of a garagekeeper under the laws of this state, or the right of a lien holder to foreclose. For the purposes of this section, GARAGEKEEPER is an operator of a parking place or establishment, an operator of a motor vehicle storage facility, or an operator of an establishment for the servicing, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles.

(C) At any time before the expiration of the waiting periods provided in ' 90.21 a registered owner who provides documentation from a government or nonprofit agency or legal aid office that the registered owner is homeless, receives relief based on need, is eligible for legal aid service, or has a household income at or below 50% of state median income has the unencumbered right to retrieve any and all contents without charge and regardless of whether the registered owner pays incurred charges or fees, transfers title, or reclaims the vehicle. For the purposes of this section:

(1) CONTENTS does not include any permanently affixed mechanical or nonmechanical automobile parts; automobile body parts; or automobile accessories, including audio or video players; and

(2) RELIEF BASED ON NEED includes, but is not limited to, receipt of MFIP and Diversionary Work Program, medical assistance, general assistance, general assistance medical care, emergency general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, MSA-emergency assistance, MinnesotaCare, Supplemental Security Income, energy assistance, emergency assistance, food stamps, earned income tax credit, or Minnesota working family tax credit. The city or impound lot operator shall establish reasonable procedures for retrieval of vehicle contents under this section, and may establish reasonable procedures to protect the safety and security of the impound lot and its personnel.

' 90.22 OPERATOR'S DEFICIENCY CLAIM; CONSENT TO SALE.
(A) Deficiency claim. The nonpublic impound lot operator has a deficiency claim against the registered owner of the vehicle for the reasonable costs of services provided in the towing, storage and inspection of the vehicle minus the proceeds of the sale or auction. The claim for storage costs may not exceed the costs of:

(1) 25 days storage for a vehicle described in ' 90.19(A); and

(2) 55 days storage for a vehicle described in ' 90.19(B).

' 90.23 DISPOSITION BY IMPOUND LOT.
(A) Auction or sale.

(1) If an abandoned or unauthorized vehicle and contents taken into custody by the city or any impound lot is not reclaimed under ' 90.21, it may be disposed of or sold at auction or sale when eligible pursuant to '' 90.20 and 90.21.

(2) The purchaser shall be given a receipt in a form prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles which shall be sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle. The receipt shall also entitle the purchaser to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. Before a vehicle is issued a new certificate of title, it must receive a motor vehicle safety check.

(B) Unsold vehicles. Abandoned or junk vehicles not sold by the city or public impound lots pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be disposed of in accordance with ' 90.24.

(C) Sale proceeds; public entities. From the proceeds of a sale under this section by the city or public impound lot of an abandoned or unauthorized motor vehicle, the city shall reimburse itself for the cost of towing, preserving and storing the vehicle, and all administrative, notice and publication costs incurred in handling the vehicle pursuant to this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days and then shall be deposited in the treasury of the city.

(D) Sale proceeds; nonpublic impound lots. The operator of a nonpublic impound lot may retain any proceeds derived from a sale conducted under the authority of division (A) of this section. The operator may retain all proceeds from sale of any personal belongings and contents in the vehicle that were not claimed by the owner or the owner's agent before the sale, except that any suspected contraband or other items that likely would be subject to forfeiture in a criminal trial must be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

' 90.24 DISPOSAL AUTHORITY.
The city may contract with others or may utilize its own equipment and personnel for the inventory of impounded motor vehicles and abandoned scrap metal and may utilize its own equipment and personnel for the collection, storage and transportation of these vehicles and abandoned scrap metal. The city may utilize its own equipment and personnel only for the collection and storage of not more than five abandoned or unauthorized vehicles without advertising for or receiving bids in any 120 day period.

' 90.25 CONTRACTS; REIMBURSEMENT BY MPCA.
(A) MPCA review and approval. If the city proposes to enter into a contract with a person licensed by the MPCA pursuant to this section or a contract pursuant to ' 90.24, the MPCA may review the proposed contract before it is entered into by the city, to determine whether it conforms to the MPCA's plan for solid waste management and is in compliance with MPCA rules. A contract that does so conform may be approved by the MPCA and entered into by the city. Where a contract has been approved, the MPCA may reimburse the city for the costs incurred under the contract that have not been reimbursed under ' 90.23. Except as otherwise provided in ' 90.24, the MPCA shall not approve any contract that has been entered into without prior notice to and without a request for bids from all persons duly licensed by the MPCA to be a party to a disposal contract pursuant to M.S. ' 116.07, as it may be amended from time to time; nor that does not provide for a full performance bond; or does not provide for total collection and transportation of abandoned motor vehicles, except that the MPCA may approve a contract covering solely collection or transportation of abandoned motor vehicles where the MPCA determines total collection and transportation to be impracticable and where all other requirements herein have been met and the unit of government, after proper notice and request for bids, has not received any bid for total collection and transportation of abandoned motor vehicles.

(B) The city may perform work. If the city utilizes its own equipment and personnel pursuant to its authority under ' 90.24, and the use of the equipment and personnel conforms to the MPCA's plan for solid waste management and is in compliance with MPCA rules, the city may be reimbursed by the MPCA for reasonable costs incurred which are not reimbursed under ' 90.23.

(C) The city required to contract work. The MPCA may demand that the city contract for the disposal of abandoned motor vehicles and other scrap metal pursuant to the MPCA's plan for solid waste disposal. If the city fails to contract within 180 days of the demand, the MPCA, through the Department of Administration and on behalf of the city, may contract with any person duly licensed by the MPCA for the disposal.

CITY EMPLOYEE PURCHASE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY OR ABANDONED VEHICLES

' 90.40 MAY PURCHASE AT AUCTION.
Pursuant to M.S. ' 15.054, as it may be amended from time to time, no officer or employee of the city shall sell or procure for sale or possess or control for sale to any other officer or employee of the city, any property or materials owned by the city except pursuant to conditions provided in this section. Property or materials owned by the city and not needed for public purposes, may be sold to an employee of the city after reasonable public notice at a public auction or by sealed response, if the employee is not directly involved in the auction or process pertaining to the administration and collection of sealed responses. Prior to such auction or collection of sealed responses, public notice of at least on week=s published notice must be provided. An employee of the city may purchase no more than one motor vehicle from the city at any one auction. This section shall not apply to the sale of property or materials acquired or produced by the city for sale to the general public in the ordinary course of business. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an employee of the city from selling or possessing for sale public property if the sale or possession for sale is in the ordinary course of business or normal course of the employees duties.

CHAPTER 91: ANIMALS

Section
91.01 Definitions
91.02 Dogs and cats
91.03 Non-domestic animals
91.04 Farm animals
91.05 Impounding
91.06 Kennels
91.07 Nuisances
91.08 Seizure of animals
91.09 Animals presenting a danger to health and safety of city
91.10 Diseased animals
91.11 Dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs
91.12 Dangerous animals (excluding dogs)
91.13 Basic care
91.14 Breeding moratorium
91.15 Enforcing officer
91.16 Pound
91.17 Interference with officers
91.18 Fighting animals
91.19 Feeding stray cats and dogs

' 91.01 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ANIMAL. Any mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, bird (including all fowl and poultry) or other member commonly accepted as a part of the animal kingdom. Animals shall be classified as follows:

(1) DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Those animals commonly accepted as domesticated household pets. Unless otherwise defined, domestic animals shall include dogs, cats, caged birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, domesticated rabbits, fish, non-poisonous, non-venomous and non-constricting reptiles or amphibians, and other similar animals.

(2) FARM ANIMALS. Those animals commonly associated with a farm or performing work in an agricultural setting. Unless otherwise defined, farm animals shall include members of the equine family (horses, mules), bovine family (cows, bulls), sheep, poultry (chickens, turkeys), fowl (ducks, geese), swine (including Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs), goats, bees, ratitae (ostriches and emus), farm raised cervidae (caribous and mule deer), llamas and alpacas and other animals associated with a farm, ranch, or stable

(3) NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Those animals commonly considered to be naturally wild and not naturally trained or domesticated, or which are commonly considered to be inherently dangerous to the health, safety, and welfare of people. Unless otherwise defined, non-domestic animals shall include:

(a) Any member of the large cat family (family felidae) including lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats, leopards and jaguars, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated house cats.

(b) Any naturally wild member of the canine family (family canidae) including wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, and jackals, but excluding commonly accepted domesticated dogs.

(c) Any crossbreeds such as the crossbreed between a wolf and a dog, unless the crossbreed is commonly accepted as a domesticated house pet.

(d) Any member or relative of the rodent family including any skunk (whether or not descented), raccoon, squirrel, or ferret, but excluding those members otherwise defined or commonly accepted as domesticated pets.

(e) Any poisonous, venomous, constricting, or inherently dangerous member of the reptile or amphibian families including rattlesnakes, boa constrictors, pit vipers, crocodiles and alligators.

(f) Any other animal which is not explicitly listed above but which can be reasonably defined by the terms of this section, including but not limited to bears, deer, monkeys and game fish.

AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner and not under the custody and control of the owner or other person, either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise restrained or confined.

CAT. Both the male and female of the felidae species commonly accepted as domesticated household pets.

DOG. Both the male and female of the canine species, commonly accepted as domesticated household pets, and other domesticated animals of a dog kind.

OWNER. Any person or persons, firm, association or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring an animal
RELEASE PERMIT. A permit issued by the Animal Control Officer or other person in charge of the pound for the release of any animal that has been taken to the pound. A release permit may be obtained upon payment of a fee to the City Clerk in accordance with the regular license requirement if the animal is unlicensed, payment of a release fee, and any maintenance costs incurred in capturing and impounding the animal. The release fee shall be as established in the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11, as it may be amended from time to time.

' 91.02 DOGS AND CATS.

(A) Running at large prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the dog or cat of any person who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog or cat, to run at large. A person, who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog or cat which runs at large shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Dogs or cats on a leash and accompanied by a responsible person or accompanied by and under the control and direction of a responsible person, so as to be effectively restrained by command as by leash, shall be permitted in streets or on public land unless the city has posted an area with signs reading Dogs or Cats Prohibited.@

(B) License required.

(1) All dogs over the age of six months kept, harbored, or maintained by their owners in the city, shall be licensed and registered with the city. Dog licenses shall be issued by the City Clerk upon payment of the license fee as established by the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this code, as that ordinance may be amended from time to time. The owner shall state, at the time application is made for the license and upon forms provided, his or her name and address and the name, breed, color, and sex of each dog owned or kept by him or her. No license shall be granted for a dog that has not been vaccinated against distemper and rabies, as evidenced by a certificate by a veterinarian qualified to practice in the state in which the dog is vaccinated.

(2) It shall be the duty of each owner of a dog subject to this section to pay to the City Clerk the license fee established in the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11, as it may be amended from time to time.

(3) Upon payment of the license fee as established by the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this code, as that ordinance may be amended from time to time, the Clerk shall issue to the owner a license certificate and metallic tag for each dog licensed. The tag shall have stamped on it the year for which it is issued and the number corresponding with the number on the certificate. Every owner shall be required to provide each dog with a collar to which the license tag must be affixed, and shall see that the collar and tag are constantly worn. In case a dog tag is lost or destroyed, a duplicate shall be issued by the City Clerk. A charge shall be made for each duplicate tag in an amount established in the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11, as it may be amended from time to time. Dog tags shall not be transferable from one dog to another and no refunds shall be made on any dog license fee or tag because of death of a dog or the owner's leaving the city before the expiration of the license period.

16 Minnesota Basic Code - General Regulations

(4) The licensing provisions of this division (B) shall not apply to dogs whose owners are nonresidents temporarily within the city, nor to dogs brought into the city for the purpose of participating in any dog show. If the animal owned is a service animal which is capable of being properly identified as from a recognized school for seeing eye, hearing ear, service or guide animals, and the owner is a blind or deaf person, or a person with physical or sensory disabilities, then no license shall be required.

(5) The funds received by the City Clerk from all dog licenses and metallic tags fees as established by the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this code, as that ordinance may be amended from time to time, shall first be used to defray any costs incidental to the enforcement of this chapter; including, but not restricted to, the costs of licenses, metallic tags, and impounding and maintenance of the dogs.

(C) Cats. Cats shall be included as controlled by this division insofar as running-at-large, pickup, impounding, boarding, licensing and proof of anti-rabies vaccine is concerned. All other provisions of this section shall also apply to cats unless otherwise provided.

(D) Vaccination.

(1) All dogs and cats kept harbored, maintained, or transported within the city shall be vaccinated at least once every three years by a licensed veterinarian for:

(a) Rabies - with a live modified vaccine; and

(b) Distemper.

(2) A certificate of vaccination must be kept on which is stated the date of vaccination, owner's name and address, the animal's name (if applicable), sex, description and weight, the type of vaccine, and the veterinarian's signature. Upon demand made by the City Clerk, the Animal Control Officer or a police officer, the owner shall present for examination the required certificate(s) of vaccination for the animal(s). In cases where certificates are not presented, the owner or keeper of the animal(s) shall have seven days in which to present the certificate(s) to the City Clerk or officer. Failure to do so shall be deemed a violation of this section.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.03 NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

Except as provided in M.S.' 346.155, as it may be amended from time to time, it shall be illegal for any person to own, possess, harbor, or offer for sale, any non-domestic animal within the city. Any owner of a non-domestic animal at the time of adoption of this code shall have 30 days in which to remove the animal from the city after which time the city may impound the animal as provided for in this section. An exception shall be made to this prohibition for animals specifically trained for and actually providing assistance to the handicapped or disabled, and for those animals brought into the city as part of an operating zoo, veterinarian clinic, scientific research laboratory, or a licensed show or exhibition.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.04 FARM ANIMALS.

Farm animals shall only be kept in an agricultural district of the city, or on a residential lot of at least ten acres in size provided that no animal shelter shall be within 300 feet of an adjoining piece of property. An exception shall be made to this section for those animals brought into the city as part of an operating zoo, veterinarian clinic, scientific research laboratory, or a licensed show or exhibition.

' 91.05 IMPOUNDING.

(A) Running at large. Any unlicensed animal running at large is hereby declared a public nuisance. Any Animal Control Officer or police officer may impound any dog or other animal found unlicensed or any animal found running at large and shall give notice of the impounding to the owner of the dog or other animal, if known. The Animal Control Officer or police officer shall not enter the property of the owner of an animal found running at large or the owner of an unlicensed animal unless the officer has first obtained the permission of the owner to do so or has obtained a warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, as provided for in ' 10.20, to search for and seize the animal. In case the owner is unknown, the officer shall post notice at the city office that if the dog or other animal is not claimed within the time specified in division (C) of this section, it will be sold or otherwise disposed of. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful to kill, destroy, or otherwise cause injury to any animal, including dogs and cats running at large.

(B) Biting animals. Any animal that has not been inoculated by a live modified rabies vaccine and which has bitten any person, wherein the skin has been punctured or the services of a doctor are required, shall be confined in the city pound for a period of not less than ten days, at the expense of the owner. The animal may be released at the end of the time if healthy and free from symptoms of rabies, and by the payment of all costs by the owner. However, if the owner of the animal shall elect immediately upon receipt of notice of need for the confinement by the officer to voluntarily and immediately confine the animal for the required period of time in a veterinary hospital of the owner's choosing, not outside of the county in which this city is located, and provide immediate proof of confinement in the manner as may be required, the owner may do so. If, however, the animal has been inoculated with a live modified rabies vaccine and the owner has proof of the vaccination by a certificate from a licensed veterinarian, the owner may confine the dog or other animal to the owner's property.

(C) Reclaiming. For the purposes of this section regular business day means a day during which the establishment having custody of the animal is open to the public at least four consecutive hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. All animals conveyed to the pound shall be kept, with humane treatment and sufficient food and water for their comfort, at least five regular business days, unless the animal is a dangerous animal as defined under ' 91.11 in which case it shall be kept for seven regular business days or the times specified in ' 91.11, and except if the animal is a cruelly-treated animal in which case it shall be kept for ten regular business days, unless sooner reclaimed by their owners or keepers as provided by this section. In case the owner or keeper shall desire to reclaim the animal from the pound, the following shall be required, unless otherwise provided for in this code or established from time to time by resolution of the City Council:

(1) Payment of the release fee and receipt of a release permit as established by the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this code, as that ordinance may be amended from time to time.

(2) Payment of maintenance costs, as provided by the pound, per day or any part of day while animal is in the pound; and

(3) If a dog is unlicensed, payment of a regular license fee as established by the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this code, as that ordinance may be amended from time to time, and valid certificate of vaccination for rabies and distemper shots is required.

(D) Unclaimed animals. At the expiration of the times established in division (C) of this section, if the animal has not been reclaimed in accordance with the provisions of this section, the officer appointed to enforce this section may let any person claim the animal by complying with all provisions in this section, or the officer may sell the animal to the University of Minnesota, or cause the animal to be destroyed in a proper and humane manner and shall properly dispose of the remains thereof. Any money collected under this section shall be payable to the City Clerk.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.06 KENNELS.

(A) Definition of kennel. The keeping of three or more dogs on the same premises, whether owned by the same person or not and for whatever purpose kept, shall constitute a Akennel;@ except that a fresh litter of pups may be kept for a period of three months before that keeping shall be deemed to be a Akennel.@

(B) Kennel as a nuisance. Because the keeping of three or more dogs on the same premises is subject to great abuse, causing discomfort to persons in the area by way of smell, noise, hazard, and general aesthetic depreciation, the keeping of three or more dogs on the premises is hereby declared to be a nuisance and no person shall keep or maintain a kennel within the city.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.07 NUISANCES.

(A) Habitual barking. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor a dog which habitually barks or cries. Habitual barking shall be defined as barking for repeated intervals of at least five minutes

Animals 19

with less than one minute of interruption. The barking must also be audible off of the owner's or caretaker's premises.

(B) Damage to property. It shall be unlawful for any person's dog or other animal to damage any lawn, garden, or other property, whether or not the owner has knowledge of the damage.

(C) Cleaning up litter. The owner of any animal or person having the custody or control of any animal shall be responsible for cleaning up any feces of the animal and disposing of the feces in a sanitary manner whether on their own property, on the property of others or on public property.

(D) Warrant required. The Animal Control Officer or police officer shall not enter the property of the owner of an animal described in this section unless the officer has first obtained the permission of the owner to do so or has obtained a warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, as provided for in ' 10.20, to search for and seize the animal.

(E) Other. Any animals kept contrary to this section are subject to impoundment as provided in ' 91.05.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.08 SEIZURE OF ANIMALS.

Any police officer or Animal Control Officer may enter upon private property and seize any animal with the permission of the owner of the property, if that person is also the owner of the animal, provided that the following exist:

(A) There is an identified complainant other than the police officer or Animal Control Officer making a contemporaneous complaint about the animal;

(B) The officer reasonably believes that the animal meets either the barking dog criteria set out in ' 91.07(A); the criteria for cruelty set out in ' 91.13; or the criteria for an at large animal set out in ' 91.02(A);

(C) The officer can demonstrate that there has been at least one previous complaint of a barking dog; inhumane treatment of the animal; or that the animal was at large at this address on a prior date;

(D) The officer has made a reasonable attempt to contact the owner of the animal and the property to be entered and those attempts have either failed or have been ignored;

(E) The Animal Control Officer or police officer shall not enter the property of the owner of an animal described in this section unless the officer has first obtained the permission of the owner to do so or has obtained a warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, as provided for in ' 10.20, to search for and seize the animal. If the officer has the permission of the owner, a property manager, landlord, innkeeper, or other authorized person to enter the property or has obtained a pass key from a property manager, landlord, innkeeper, or other authorized person to have that key shall not be considered unauthorized entry, and a warrant to search for and seize the animal need not be obtained; and

(F) Written notice of the seizure is left in a conspicuous place if personal contact with the owner of the animal is not possible.

' 91.09 ANIMALS PRESENTING A DANGER TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CITY.

If, in the reasonable belief of any person or the Animal Control Officer or police officer, an animal presents an immediate danger to the health and safety of any person, or the animal is threatening imminent harm to any person, or the animal is in the process of attacking any person, the person or officer may destroy the animal in a proper and humane manner whether or not the animal is on the property of its owner. Otherwise, the person or officer may apprehend the animal and deliver it to the pound for confinement under ' 91.05. If the animal is destroyed, the owner or keeper of the animal destroyed shall be liable to the city for the cost of maintaining and disposing of the animal, plus the costs of any veterinarian examination. If the animal is found not to be a danger to the health and safety of the city, it may be released to the owner or keeper in accordance with ' 91.05(C).

' 91.10 DISEASED ANIMALS.

(A) Running at large. No person shall keep or allow to be kept on his or her premises, or on premises occupied by them, nor permit to run at large in the city, any animal which is diseased so as to be a danger to the health and safety of the city, even though the animal be properly licensed under this section, and a warrant to search for and seize the animal is not required.

(B) Confinement. Any animal reasonably suspected of being diseased and presenting a threat to the health and safety of the public, may be apprehended and confined in the pound by any person, the Animal Control Officer or a police officer. The officer shall have a qualified veterinarian examine the animal. If the animal is found to be diseased in a manner so as to be a danger to the health and safety of the city, the officer shall cause the animal to be painlessly killed and shall properly dispose of the remains. The owner or keeper of the animal killed under this section shall be liable to the city for the cost of maintaining and disposing of the animal, plus the costs of any veterinarian examinations.

(C) Release. If the animal, upon examination, is not found to be diseased the animal shall be released to the owner or keeper free of charge.
Penalty, see ' 91.99

' 91.11 DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS.

(A) Adoption by reference. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the regulatory and procedural provisions of M.S. '' 347.50 to 347.565 (commonly referred to as the ADangerous Dog Regulations@), are adopted by reference.

(B) Definitions. Definitions in this section shall have the following meanings:

(1) DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:

(a) Has when unprovoked, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being on public or private property;

(b) Has killed a domestic animal when unprovoked while off the owner's property;

(d) Has been found to be potentially dangerous and after the owner has notice of the same, the dog aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals.

(2) DOG. Both the male and female of the canine species, commonly accepted as domesticated household pets.

(3) GREAT BODILY HARM. Bodily injury which creates a high probability of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or other serious bodily harm.

(4) OWNER. Any person or persons, firm, corporation, organization, department, or association owning, possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having care, custody or control of a dog.

(5) MAINTENANCE COSTS. Any costs incurred as a result of seizing an animal for impoundment, including, but not limited to, the capturing, impounding, keeping, treating, examining, securing, confining, feeding, destroying, boarding or maintaining seized animals, whether these services are provided by the city or the pound.

(6) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG. A dog that:

(a) Has when unprovoked, inflicted a bite on a human or domestic animal on public or private property;

(b) Has when unprovoked, chased or approached a person, including a person on a bicycle, upon the streets, sidewalks or any public or private property, other than the owner's property, in an apparent attitude of attack; or

(c) Has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.

(7) PROPER ENCLOSURE. Securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the dog from escaping and to provide protection for the dog 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 barriers which prevent the dog from exiting. The enclosure shall not allow the egress of the dog in any manner without human assistance. A pen or kennel shall meet the following minimum specifications:

(a) A minimum overall floor size of 32 square feet.

(b) Sidewalls shall have a minimum height of five feet and be constructed of 11 gauge or heavier wire. Openings in the wire shall not exceed two inches, support post shall be one and one fourth inch or larger steel pipe buried in the ground 18 inches or more. When a concrete floor is not provided, the sidewalls shall be buried a minimum of 18 inches in the ground.

(c) A cover over the entire pen or kennel shall be provided. The cover shall be constructed of the same gauge wire or heavier as the sidewalls and openings in the wire shall not exceed two inches.

(d) An entrance/exit gate shall be provided and be constructed of the same material as the sidewalls and openings in the wire shall not exceed two inches. The gate shall be self closing and self locking. The gate shall be locked at all times when the dog is in the pen or kennel.

(8) SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM. Bodily injury that involves a temporary but substantial 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.

(9) UNPROVOKED. The condition in which the dog is not purposely excited, stimulated, agitated or disturbed.

(1) A police officer, community service officer, animal control officer or other authorized city employee may declare a dog to be dangerous or potentially dangerous when the officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is dangerous or potentially dangerous. The following factors will be considered in determining a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog:

(a) Whether any injury or damage to a person by the dog was caused while the dog was protecting or defending a person or the dog's offspring within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault.

(b) The size and strength of the dog, including jaw strength, and the animal's propensity to bite humans or other domestic animals.

(c) Whether the dog has wounds, scarring, is observed in a fight, or has other indications that the dog has been or will be used, trained or encouraged to fight with another animal or whose owner is in possession of any training apparatus, paraphernalia or drugs used to prepare such dogs to fight with other animals.

(2) Beginning six months after a dog is declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, an owner may request annually that the city review the designation. The owner must provide evidence that the dog's behavior has changed due to the dog's age, neutering, environment, completion of obedience training or other factors. If enough evidence is provided, the city may rescind the designation.

(3) Exceptions.

(a) The provisions of this section do not apply to dogs used by law enforcement.

(b) Dogs may not be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous if the threat, injury, or danger was sustained by a person who was:

1. Committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises occupied by the owner of the dog;

2. Provoking, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog, or who can be shown to have a history of repeatedly provoking, tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog; or

3. Committing or attempting to commit a crime.

(D) License required. The owner must annually license dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs with the city and must license a newly declared dangerous or potentially dangerous dog within 14 days after notice that a dog has been declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. Regardless of any appeal that may be requested, the owner must comply with the requirements of M.S. ' 347.52 (a) and (c) regarding proper enclosures and notification to the city upon transfer or death of the dog, until and unless a hearing officer or court of law reverses the declaration.

(1) Process for dangerous dogs. The city will issue a license to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner presents sufficient evidence that:

(a) There is a proper enclosure;

(b) Written proof that there is a surety bond by a surety company authorized to conduct business in Minnesota in the sum of at least $300,000, payable to any person injured by a dangerous dog, or receipt of a copy of a policy of liability insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Minnesota in the amount of at least $300,000, insuring the owner for any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog. Such surety bond or insurance policy shall provide that no cancelation of the bond or policy will be made unless the city is notified in writing by the surety company or the insurance company at least ten days prior to such cancelation;

(c) The owner has paid the annual license fee for dangerous dogs as established in the Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges adopted pursuant to ' 30.11 of this Code.

(d) The owner has had a microchip identification implanted in the dangerous dog. The name of the microchip manufacturer and identification number of the microchip must be provided to the city. If the microchip is not implanted by the owner, it may be implanted by the city at the owner's expense; and

e) The owner provides proof that the dog has been sterilized. If the owner does not sterilize the dog within 30 days, the city may seize the dog and sterilize it at the owner's expense.

(2) Process for potentially dangerous dogs. The city will issue a license to the owner of a potentially dangerous dog if the owner presents sufficient evidence that:

(a) There is a proper enclosure;

(b) The owner has paid the annual license fee;

(c) The owner has had a microchip identification implanted in the potentially dangerous dog. The name of the microchip manufacturer and identification number of the microchip must be provided to the city. If the microchip is not implanted by the owner, it may be implanted by the city at the owner's expense.

(3) Inspection. A pre license inspection of the premises to insure compliance with the city code is required. If the city issues a license to the owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog, the city shall be allowed at any reasonable time to inspect the dog, the proper enclosure and all places where the animal is kept.

(4) Warning symbol. The owner of a dangerous dog licensed under this section must post a sign with the uniform dangerous dog warning symbol on the property in order to inform children that there is a dangerous dog on the property. The sign will be provided by the city upon issuance of the license.

(5) Tags. A dangerous dog licensed under this section must wear a standardized, easily identifiable tag at all times that contains the uniform dangerous dog symbol, identifying the dog as dangerous. The tag shall be provided by the city upon issuance of the license.

(6) License fee. The city will charge the owner an annual license fee for a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog as established in the Ordinance to Establish Fees and Charges as it may be amended from time to time.

(E) Properly restrained in proper enclosure or outside of proper enclosure. While on the owner's property, an owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog