HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1673ORDINANCE NO. 1673
BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE 1 OF THE -COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS CITY CODE RELATING TO ANIMALS
The City of Columbia Heights does ordain:
Section 1:
Sections § 8.I01 of the Columbia Heights City Code_as they cm,rently_read are amended as
follows:
ARTICLE 1: ANIMALS
Section
8.101
Regulations
8.102
Impoundment
8.103
Destruction
8.104
Quarantine
8.105
Penalty
§ 8.101 REGULATIONS.
(A) Rabies vaccination required. A person who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog over six
months old within the city must have the dog vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian with an
anti -rabies vaccine that is currently effective. A vaccination certificate is valid only for the
dog and owner to which it is issued. A person must not use a rabies vaccination certificate
for a different dog than the one for which it was issued.
(B) Tags. A person who owns, harbors, or keeps a dog over six months old within the city
must securely attach an identification tag or plate to the dog's collar so that it can be readily
seen. The tag or plate must contain the name and telephone number of the owner or other
person who is keeping the dog. The identification tag or plate must be worn by the dog at
all times when it is off the owner's or keeper's property.
(C) Limit on number of cats and dogs. Because the keeping of four or more dogs or four
or more cats in the family dwelling unit or on the family premises is subject to great abuse,
causing discomfort to persons in the area by way of smell, noise, hazard, and general
aesthetic depreciation, and because the irresponsible maintenance of four or more dogs or
four or more cats within a residential area has been the source of a variety of complaints,
no family or family member shall keep, harbor, or have custody of more than three dogs, or
more than three cats, or a combination of more than five animals exceeding six months in
age in the family dwelling unit or on the family premises.
(D) The owner or custodian of any animal permanently or temporarily in the city shall
have the obligation and responsibility to prevent such animal from committing any act
which constitutes a public nuisance, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following
acts:
(1) Habitually or frequently bark or cry to the annoyance of neighbors or the general
public.
(2) Molest or annoy any person if such person is not on the property of the owner or
custodian of such animal.
(3) Molest, defile, or destroy any public or private property not belonging to the owner
or custodian of such animal.
4 Defecate ii Von 12tiblie p rop erty without im med i a te ly rem vin the excrement an
disposinof it in a sanitary manner.
(54) Chase vehicles or otherwise run at large within the city.
(E) (1) The City of Columbia Heights will follow the provisions of M.S. Chapter 347 as it
relates to dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs.
—(2) The City of Columbia Heights may impose additional requirements to the
owners of potentially dangerous dogs, including all requirements listed for
dangerous dogs.
(F) No person who is the owner or has custody of any animal shall beat, treat cruelly,
torment or otherwise abuse or abandon such animal. No person who is the owner or has
custody of any animal shall fail to provide such animal with sufficient, good and wholesome
food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when
needed to prevent suffering, or with humane care and treatment.
C Excel2tions. The provisions of 1 b 4 do not apply tmguide dog, accom pan in
a blind -person, a service dog accom an in a is bled person, or a dog, while engaged in
police or rescue activit .
('77 Code, § 8.102) (Am. Ord. 1005, passed 7-12-82; Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-
20) Penalty, see § 8.105
§ 8.102 IMPOUNDMENT.
(A) The city shall have the authority to impound any animal in such manner and under
such conditions and circumstances as prescribed by this section:
(1) The Council may enter into a contract with any qualified person, firm or
corporation to be designated as the City Poundmaster, whose duties shall be to enforce the
provisions of this section.
(2) The city shall provide an adequate facility within or inclose proximity to the city,
where all animals taken into custody shall be kept and cared for until disposed of according
to the provisions of this section.
(B) The City Poundmaster may impound any animal where there is reasonable cause to
believe said animal:
(1) Exhibits ferocious or vicious tendencies;
(2) Constitutes a public nuisance as defined in § 8.101(D);
(3) Has bitten a person; or
(4) Is not displaying the proper tag listed in the provisions of § 8.101.
(C) When the ownership of the animal is known, or can be determined, the Poundmaster
shall provide notice to the owner within 24 hours of the impoundment by the means
available to them.
(D) Any animal impounded pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be kept for
not less than five regular business days unless reclaimed prior to that time by their owner
as provided hereafter. The owner of any impounded animal may reclaim the same upon
payment to the Treasurer or Poundmaster of an impounding fee as set by resolution of the
Council, and the payment of such daily boarding fees as shall be determined by the Council
for such time as the animal has been confined. The Poundmaster shall not release any
animal subject to the vaccination requirement in § 8.101 without proof of current anti-
rabies vaccination.
(E) Any animal which is unclaimed by the rightful owner within the prescribed time may
be sold to anyone desiring to purchase said animal, if not requested by a licensed
educational or scientific institution under state law.
(1) All sums received in excess of costs shall be held by the Treasurer for the benefit of
the owner. If not claimed within one year, such funds shall be placed in the general fund of
the city.
(2) Any animal which is not disposed of as provided above shall be painlessly killed
and buried by the Poundmaster.
(F) Nothing in this code shall prevent the Poundmaster from disposing of any animal in
less than the prescribed time if such animal is injured and, in the opinion of the
Poundmaster, the only humane act would be disposing of the animal.
('77 Code, § 8.103) (Am. Ord. 1535, passed 9-8-08; Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-20)
§ 8.103 DESTRUCTION.
(A) A court of proper jurisdiction may order the destruction of any animal, or may order
the owner or custodian to keep said animal confined to a designated place, upon a hearing
as hereinafter provided.
(1) A summons shall be issued to the owner of said animal commanding him to appear
before said court and show cause why said animal should not be seized by the
Poundmaster or otherwise disposed of in the manner authorized by this chapter. Said
summons shall issue upon sworn complaint that any of the following facts exist:
(a) That the animal has destroyed property or habitually trespassed in a damaging
manner on the property of persons other than the owner.
(b) That the animal has attacked or bitten a person outside the owner's or custodian's
premises.
(c) That the animal is vicious or exhibits vicious or ferocious tendencies, or molests
pedestrians, or interferes with vehicles on public streets or highways.
(d) That the animal is a public nuisance as heretofore defined; or
(e) That the animal is running at large in violation of this chapter.
(2) Such summons shall be returnable not less than two, nor more than six days from
the date thereof and shall be served at least two days before the time of appearance
mentioned therein.
(3) The court shall make findings of fact regarding the allegations of the sworn
complaint.
(B) The costs of any proceeding brought pursuant to this section shall be assessed
against the prevailing party. The remedies provided by this section are supplemental to
other provisions of this chapter.
(C) Any animal which presents a clear and immediate danger to city residents because it
is infected with rabies (hydrophobin) or because it is of a clearly demonstrated vicious or
ferocious nature, may be summarily destroyed after the Poundmaster has made reasonable
attempts to impound such animal.
('77 Code, § 8.104) (Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-20)
§ 8.104 QUARANTINE.
(A) No person shall own, keep, harbor or have custody of any animal over six months of
age within the city which does not have a current anti -rabies vaccine provided by a
qualified veterinarian.
(B) (1) The City may quarantine any animal which bites a person for such time as is
directed. During the quarantine, the animal shall be securely confined and kept from
contact with any other animal.
(2) The place of quarantine may be on the premises of the owner in the discretion of
the Chief of Police or designee. Confinement shall otherwise be at an animal shelter or a
veterinary hospital, at the expense of the owner of such animal.
('77 Code, § 8.105) (Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-20) Penalty, see § 8.105
§ 8.105 PENALTY.
Any person, firm, or corporation who violates the provisions of this article shall be
punished as provided in § 1.999.
('77 Code, § 8.106) (Am. Ord. 1658, passed 1-27-20)
First Reading: April 11, 2022
Offered by: Murzyn, Jr.
Seconded by: Novitsky
Roll Call: All Ayes
Second Reading: April 25, 2022
Offered by: Buesgens
Seconded by: Novitsky
Roll Call: All Ayes
Date of assa ;April 2022
ay r Amada Nfdrquez ula
Attest:
Sara lop, Clerk
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1673
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE I OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE
RELATING TO ANIMALS
The City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota adopted Ordinance No. 1673 on
April 25, 2022.
The purpose of this ordinance is to require animal owners to clean up after their pets on public
property. This amendment is a requirement of our MS4 permit.
This is a summary of Ordinance No. 1673. A copy of the entire text of the Ordinance is available
for public inspection during regular office hours at City Hall, by standard electronic mail, or at
www.columbiaheightsmn.gov.
Attest:
May r Amada 104jrquez Simula
ara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ss
COUNTY OF ANOKA
Karen Nelson being duly sworn on an oath,
states or affirms that he/she is the Publisher's
Designated Agent of the newspaper'(s) known
as:
BSLP Col Hght Frid Life
with the known office of issue being located
in the county of:
ANOKA
with additional circulation in the counties of:
RAMSEY
and has full knowledge of the facts stated
below:
(A) The newspaper has complied with all of
the requirements constituting qualifica-
tion as a qualified newspaper as provided
by Minn. Stat. §331A.02.
(B) This Public Notice was printed and pub-
lished in said newspaper(s) once each
week, for 1 successive week(s); the first
insertion being on 05/06/2022 and the last
insertion being on 05/06/2022.
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICES
Pursuant to Minnesota Stat. §580.033
relating to the publication of mortgage
foreclosure notices: The newspaper complies
with the conditions described in §580.033,
subd. 1, clause (1) or (2). If the newspaper's
known office of issue is located in a county
adjoining the county where the mortgaged
premises or some part of the mortgaged
premises described in the notice are located,
a substantial portion of the newspaper's
circulation is in the latter county.
B,,s�- alp
Designated Agent
Subscribed and sworn to or affirmed before
me on 05/06/2022 by Karen Nelson.
.
Notary Pu lie
/r.. . y.
MARLENE M MITCHELL
Notary Public
Minnesota 1
My Commission Expires
Jan 31, 2025
Rate Information:
(1) Lowest classified rate paid by commercial users
for comparable space:
$22.00 per column inch
CITY OF
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
SUMMARY OF
ORDINANCE NO. 1673
AN ORDINANCE AMEND-
ING CHAPTER 8, ARTI-
CLE 1 OF THE COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS CITY CODE
RELATING TO ANIMALS
The City Council for the City of
Columbia Heights, Minnesota ad-
opted Ordinance No. 1673 on April
25,2022.
The purpose of this ordinance is
to require animal owners to clean
up after their pets on public prop-
erty. This amendment is a require-
ment of our MS4 permit.
This is a summary of Ordinance
No. 1673. A copy of the entire
text of the Ordinance is available
for public inspection during
regular office hours at City Hall,
by standard electronic mail, or at
www.columbiaheightsmn.gov.
Mayor Amada Marquez Simula
Attest:
Sara Ion,
City Clerk/Council Secretary
Published in
The Life
May 6, 2022
1226796
Ad ID 1226796