Animal Control

It's unlawful to keep livestock animals, venomous reptiles, or any other animals of which the keeping in captivity is prohibited by state or federal law.  For example: no horses, cattle, or pigs; no tigers or other large cats that would be in violation of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act enacted in December 2022.

Both dogs and cats over six months of age must have a current rabies vaccination.

All dogs over the age of six months are required to be licensed.  If you have three or more dogs, a kennel permit is also required.  Dog licenses and kennel permits are issued by the City Clerk.

Businesses offering dog boarding for three or more dogs are required to obtain a kennel permit annually.  Kennel permits are issued by the City Clerk.

All dogs in the city are required to be controlled by:

1. A fence, leash, picketed by means of a chain or cable to a secure object confining the dog to a specified area, e-collar, or owner’s command when within the confines of the owner’s property.
2. Being within a vehicle being driven or parked on a public street.
3. A leash not exceeding six feet in length while outside of the owner’s property and under the control and direction of the owner or the owner’s custodian.  Use of an e-collar or clicker training device as an alternative to a physical leash is only acceptable provided the dog is kept within six feet of the owner or custodian at all times; however, when on City park property, dog(s) are required to be on a physical leash only (no e-collar or clicker training device) at all times.

Animals may not be left unattended and endangered in motor vehicles.

Citations may be issued by an Animal Control Officer and/or Police Officer for individual occurrences of any of the following, and the animal(s) may be impounded at the expense of the owner.  Any animal which has been the subject of citations for doing any of the following three or more times in any 12-month period will be declared a public nuisance.  

1. The animal is found to be at large.
2. The animal damages the property of anyone other than its owner.
3. The animal causes unsanitary conditions of enclosures or surroundings, which conditions are not corrected by the owner within two days after personal or written notice.
4. The animal disturbs or annoys a person or persons residing in the vicinity by loud and frequent barking, howling, yelping, or other such noises if such noise occurs for repeated intervals of at least three minutes with less than one minute of silence intervals and is audible off the owner’s or caretaker’s premises.
5. The animal molests or attacks passersby or passing vehicles.
6. The animal attacks other domestic animals or protected wildlife.

7. The animal is fierce, dangerous, or vicious, or is dangerous to the public health, safety and welfare.

8. The animal aggressively chases a person and the pursuit occurs outside of the owner’s or caretaker’s premises.

To report any of the above violations, please call either 911 or 952-258-5321 (non-emergency) and an officer will be dispatched.