Olmsted County Considers New Dangerous Dog Regulations
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed Dangerous Dog Ordinance.
The proposed law would be similar to an ordinance adopted by the City of Rochester and would implement new regulations for dogs deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous in unincorporated areas of Olmsted County. The public hearing will take place during the county board’s regular meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Definition of a Dangerous Dog
Under the proposal, a dangerous dog would be defined as one that has caused the death of a person, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a person without provocation on public or private property, or killed a domestic animal anywhere other than on the owner’s property. The designation would also apply to a dog previously labeled potentially dangerous that later bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of people or domestic animals.
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Potentially Dangerous Dog Criteria
The proposed ordinance defines a potentially dangerous dog as one that has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation on public or private property, chased or approached a person in “an apparent attitude of attack” without provocation, or has a “known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack without provocation,” posing a threat to the safety of people or domestic animals.
Requirements for Dog Owners
Owners of dogs receiving either designation would be required to comply with several regulations, including keeping the animals in secure enclosures and implanting a microchip for identification. In the case of a dangerous dog, the animal would also be required to be sterilized. Dangerous dogs would also need to be registered with the county and wear a tag identifying them as dangerous.
The proposed ordinance also outlines the procedures for investigating reports of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs, as well as an appeals process for affected dog owners.
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