Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Animals

Overview

Domestic animals that have bitten or demonstrated other aggressive behaviors are investigated to determine if they should be declared "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" under Minnesota State Statute and Saint Paul City Ordinance.

Saint Paul Animal Control (SPAC) conducts these investigations and makes declarations. The declaration is based on whether the incident was provoked or unprovoked, and the severity of the incident.

There are three types of declarations that may be issued, based on the investigation:

Potentially Dangerous Animal (Standard or with Enhancements)
Dangerous Animal
Destruct Order

Any animal that bites a person or another animal or approaches a person or another animal in an "attitude of attack" is subject to investigation. The animal may be impounded and kenneled at SPAC for the duration of the investigation, until compliance is met. The owner is responsible for pay all fees associated with impoundment and care while the animal is at SPAC.

Declared animals must comply with certain requirements to safeguard the public against future attacks or aggression. SPAC conducts annual and complaint-based inspections to ensure these requirements are met.

Declaring “Potentially Dangerous” and “Dangerous” Animals

Owners of declared potentially dangerous animals must meet the following requirements:
- The animal must be microchipped
- The owner must purchase a Lifetime License if the animal is a dog
- Provide proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations
- The owner is required to notify SPAC if they move, transfer ownership to another person, or if the animal dies.
If an enhanced order is given, owners must meet the above requirements and one or more of the following:
- Provide a "proper enclosure"
- Maintain the dog on a three-foot leash and muzzle if the animal is not in the proper enclosure
- Enroll in and complete an animal training class.
Owners of declared dangerous animals must meet the following requirements:
- Provide a "proper enclosure"
- Keep the animal on a three-foot leash and muzzle when the animal is outside the proper enclosure
- Install signing issued by SPAC warning the public that a dangerous animal is on the property
- Maintain a dangerous animal tag on the animal's collar
- Pay an annual dangerous animal registration fee ($86)
- The owner must purchase a Lifetime License if the animal is a dog
- Provide proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations
- Purchase or provide proof of liability insurance of at least $300,000
- Have the animal spayed or neutered
- The owner is required to notify SPAC if they move, transfer ownership to another person, or if the animal dies
A proper enclosure is a specially confined outdoor kennel, or a secure indoor area that meets the following requirements:

Outdoor kennels must:
- Be a minimum of 32 square feet per animal
- Have sidewalls that are at least 5 feet high
- Have openings that are not more than two inches wide
- Be constructed of 11-gauge or heavier wire
- Be on a concrete pad or the fence must be buried 18 inches
- Be supported by posts 1 ¼ inches or larger that are steel pipe and buried 18 inches or sunk into concrete
- Have a kennel entrance constructed in the same manner as the rest of the kennel
- Have a self-closing gate that latches and is always locked when the animal is inside the kennel
- Be covered in the same material as the rest of the kennel
- Have shade in the summer, a doghouse with a flap in the winter, and access to drinkable water year round that is free from ice and debris (if the animal is kenneled for extended periods)
Owners utilizing indoor enclosures must:
- Ensure their animal is never confined on a porch or patio
- Ensure their animal is not confined in areas with open windows, screen windows, or screen doors
- Ensure the animal is muzzled and leashed when outside, even if outdoors on the owner's fenced property.
After two years, owners may request that SPAC remove a declaration of dangerousness or potential dangerousness.

For a declaration to be removed, owners must provide evidence that the dog's behavior has changed due to the dog's age, spaying or neutering, environment, completion of training classes, or other factors. Passage of time without an incident by itself is not sufficient evidence to remove a declaration.

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Overview

Declaring “Potentially Dangerous” and “Dangerous” Animals

What is a Potentially Dangerous - Standard Declaration?

What is a Potentially Dangerous - Enhanced Declaration?

What happens when an animal is declared Dangerous?

When is a Destruct Order issued?

What is a Proper Enclosure?

How can I get Potentially Dangerous and Dangerous Declarations removed?

Where can I find the City and state legal authority governing Potentially Dangerous and Dangerous Animals?