At the March meeting of the Mabel City Council, the council discussed the city’s ordinance outlining the allowed number of dogs and cats. Council members noted that Mabel allows a total of no more than two such pets total, and the city is looking to increase enforcement of the ordinance.
Most other cities in Fillmore County have similar ordinances, but there are differences from city to city. Many of Minnesota’s small cities have adopted the Minnesota Basic Code, a bundle of ordinances that gives a city ordinances on a wide variety of issues, and each city council then has the authority to tweak/add/eliminate any ordinances to meet that city’s unique situation. The Minnesota Basic Code includes language stating that regardless of a city’s limit on the number of dogs in a household, “a fresh litter of pups may be kept for a period of three months before that keeping shall be deemed to be a ‘kennel.’”
Information on the website of the League of Minnesota Cities states that, “The city may place reasonable limits on the number of animals per household or residential unit. Minnesota courts have upheld ordinances that limit the number of dogs per household in order to deal with noise, odor and other related concerns. The courts have found that ordinances that address these issues were reasonably related to the public’s health, safety, and welfare… Some cities will cap the total number of animals allowed per household and other cities will limit the number of each type of animal that is allowed.”
A recent audit of the current dog and/or cat limits within Fillmore County turned up the following information (some cities did not immediately respond, or were not reached in time to be included with this article):
Mabel: The Mabel city council recently discussed this issue, and Mabel has a limit of two dogs and/or cats, combined. City Clerk/Treasurer Karen Larson added, “One thing we want to stress is this limit of two pets is not something new. This has been the ordinance in Mabel for a while. Previously, the City of Mabel has not enforced the two pet limit. However, due to complaints that council members and city hall has received, it has become an issue that we cannot keep looking the other way on. The ordinance can be updated if the council finds that it is warranted. In order for that to happen, residents need to come to a city council meeting and explain to the whole council why they think it should be changed. If no one comes to a meeting, the council has no reason to change the ordinance.” She also stated that since the council understands this issue may draw a crowd, the council is asking to table the issue until social distancing recommendations are rescinded or relaxed, so that residents can then attend in person to address the council on this matter.
Chatfield: Julie Elder (Deputy Clerk) said Chatfield’s ordinance hasn’t changed recently, and that it states, “No more than two animals per species (dogs and cats) on their property, and chickens have to be permitted.”
Ostrander: According to City Clerk/Treasurer Wendy Brincks, “The limit is three dogs and cats, combined.” She reports no significant dog/cat issues have been recently brought to the city’s attention, and added, “Our biggest issue is big animals, not small animals.”
Spring Valley: According to City Administrator Deb Zimmer, Spring Valley has a limit of three dogs per household.
Wykoff: City Clerk Becky Schmidt said that Wykoff allows up to four dogs and/or cats, total. Wykoff adopted the Minnesota Basic Code roughly two years ago, but that even prior to that time, the city’s rule had been no more than four cats/dogs.
Rushford: According to Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher, for Rushford, “It’s actually two pets, grand total,” but she said Rushford has not been focusing on enforcement, “unless there are some complaints or concerns.” She said this pet limit has been in place since the 1990s. Rushford’s main pet issue, according to Zacher, has been excessive barking by dogs, on occasion.
Harmony: Eileen Schansberg (Deputy Clerk) stated, “We have a limit of three animals,” and said this has been the ordinance for roughly five years. She added that since the ordinance was put in place, there have not been any significant issues related to it.
Preston: Joe Hoffman (City Administrator) shared that, “We require a kennel license for more than four domestic animals (generally dogs and cats)… and we don’t issue kennel licenses in residential neighborhoods… so at least the way our ordinance is currently written, you wouldn’t be able to have more than four dogs or cats in a residential neighborhood.” He added that even though this and many other ordinances may be quite old, cities are able to change an ordinance fairly quickly if the council finds there is a need to do so. He said Preston hasn’t had many complaints about the number of pets allowed, and he stated, “I just encourage people to be a good neighbor and look after your pets… if we’re all good neighbors, that usually resolves 90% of the issues that we have.”
Lanesboro: City Administrator/Clerk Michele Peterson replied that, “We do not have a limit on the number of dogs and cats per household. We updated our ordinance adopting the Minnesota Basic Code of Ordinances in December of 2017.” She added that there have not been any recent issues brought to the city’s attention regarding the number of dogs/cats.
Fountain: Mayor Jim Schott said the city’s limit is three dogs/cats total, and that this has been the city’s ordinance for “at least 15 or 20 years, probably.” He said there haven’t been any recent complaints about the number of dogs/cats, and he also echoed a refrain common to many cities in the county, saying, “The only issue we have in Fountain is the ones that do not have their dogs or cats on a leash.”
Canton: City Clerk Brock Bergey summarized that, regarding Canton’s pet ordinance, “It limits dogs, two per household, and two cats per household.” He said Canton adopted the Minnesota Basic Code (2014 version) and that the city’s pet ordinance was approved in 2015. He added that pet licensing is an ongoing issue for most cities, and he said licensing is not a money-making venture for cities, but does assist the authorities in helping to find the owner when a cat or dog is found running loose.
Throughout Fillmore County, and elsewhere, more and more cities are making ordinances available for review on the city website, as applicable. Any citizens who are interested in more information are also encouraged to contact their local city office, and/or attend a city council meeting to discuss any issues of concern. Due to the social distancing measures currently in place, some city council meetings may be postponed, or held via phone or other technology means.
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