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Statute Name
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Citation
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Summary
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MN - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes
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MN ST 343.01 - 40; MN ST 609.294
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These Minnesota statute comprise the anti-cruelty laws in the state. This section first allows the formation of private prevention of cruelty to animals societies and humane societies and sets forth their obligations by law. "Animal" is defined by this section as every living creature except members of the human race. No person shall overdrive, overload, torture, cruelly beat, neglect, or unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate, or kill any animal, or cruelly work any animal when it is unfit for labor. Under the neglect component, the statute states that no person shall deprive any animal over which the person has charge or control of necessary food, water, or shelter, among other things.
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MN - Dangerous - Minnesota Dangerous Dog Definitions, Dog Bites, & Rabies Treatments
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MN ST § 35.67 - 69; MN ST § 346.51; MN ST § 347.50
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This Minnesota statute outlines the procedure for a town establishing a rabies proclamation and prevents the running at large of unmuzzled dogs in such localities. It also provides that an owner or custodian of a dog which does not have an appropriate antirabies vaccination and which bites or otherwise exposes a person to rabies virus may be penalized under section 346.53. The statute also defines "dangerous dog" and "potentially dangerous dog."
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MN - Dog - Assistance Animals/Guide Dog Laws
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MN ST § 169.202; 343.20; 343.21; 363A.09; 363A.19; 256C.001 - 256C.06
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The following statutes comprise the state's relevant assistance animal and guide dog laws.
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MN - Dog - Consolidated Dog Laws
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MN ST 35.67 - 71; 97A.321, 97B.001 - 621; 325F.79-792; 346.01-58; 347.01-56; 365.10; 366.01
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These statutes comprise Minnesota's relevant dog laws. Among the provisions include several laws related to natural resources protection and hunting with dogs, the sale of dogs, and laws related to damage done by dogs.
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MN - Domestic Violence - 518B.01. Domestic Abuse Act
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MN ST § 518B.01
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This law reflects Minnesota's provision for restraining orders in cases of domestic abuse. An amendment in 2010 concerns the care and keeping of a companion animal owed by either petitioner or respondent, and has a provision to allow the court to prevent harm to such animal. As stated in the law, "The order may direct the care, possession, or control of a pet or companion animal owned, possessed, or kept by the petitioner or respondent or a child of the petitioner or respondent. It may also direct the respondent to refrain from physically abusing or injuring any pet or companion animal, without legal justification, known to be owned, possessed, kept, or held by either party or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either party as an indirect means of intentionally threatening the safety of such person."
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MN - Endangered Species - Natural Resources (Ch. 83A-84). Chapter 84. Department of Natural Resources
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MN ST § 84.0895, 84.944, 97A.245, 97A.501
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This statute protects endangered and threatened species in Minnesota, as defined in the statute. Under the law, a person may not take, import, transport, or sell any portion of an endangered species of wild animal or plant, or sell or possess with intent to sell an article made with any part of the skin, hide, or parts of an endangered species of wild animal or plant. Violation of the statute is a misdemeanor.
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MN - Equine Activity Liability - 604A.12. Livestock activities; immunity from liability.
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MN ST § 604A.12
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This Minnesota statute comprises the state's equine activity liability statute. The act is not limited to equines, but rather extends protection from liability to participants engaged in "livestock activities." It is important to note that this provision and exemption from liability applies only to non-profit entities. Liability is not limited where the livestock professional knowingly used faulty tack, the person failed to reasonable care to protect the participant from a known, human-made dangerous condition, the person is a livestock activity sponsor and fails to comply with the notice requirement, or the act or omission of the person was willful or negligent.
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MN - Exhibition - 97A.041. Exhibition of wildlife
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MN ST § 97A.041
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In Minnesota, a person may not possess wildlife in captivity for public exhibition purposes without a permit. The commissioner may issue a permit to an applicant qualified by education or experience in the care and treatment of wildlife. A permit shall include a condition that allows an enforcement officer to enter and inspect the facilities where the wildlife covered by the permit are held in captivity. A violation may result in the attorney general bringing an abatement action.
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MN - Exotic pet - 346.155. Possessing regulated animals
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MN ST § 346.155
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This Minnesota law defines "regulated animal" to mean all members of the Felidae family except the domestic cat, bears, and all non-human primates. Unless a person possessed a regulated animal on or before January 1, 2005, and came into compliance with AWA regulations, possession of the above-mentioned regulated animals is unlawful. A person who lawfully possessed a regulated animal before that date, must comply with registration, microchipping, fee, and inspection requirements.
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MN - Fish & Game - Chapter 97A. Game and Fish. Penalties
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MN ST § 97A.301 - 345
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These Minnesota statutes pertain to criminal sanctions for violations of fish and game laws. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if s/he takes, buys, sells, transports or possesses a wild animal in violation of the laws. A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if s/he knowingly disregards no trespassing signs or trespasses after being notified not to trespass. It is also a gross misdemeanor to violate provisions relating to buying or selling fur-bearers, deer, bear, moose, elk, or caribou, fishing with illegal methods, and transporting animals over the limit. A gross misdemeanor may be punished by a fine and/or imprisonment.
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MN - Fur - Chapter 17. Department of Agriculture. Fur Farming
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MN ST § 17.351 - 17.37
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This set of Minnesota laws relates to fur farming. Under the section, fur-bearing animals are domestic animals and products of fur-bearing animals are agricultural products. A fur farmer is engaged in an agricultural pursuit. A fur farmer may register annually with the state commissioner for $10. A registered fur farmer must file a verified report of the number of pelts of each species of fur-bearing animal sold during the preceding calendar year.
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MN - Habitat - Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (Chapter 116B. Environmental Rights)
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MN ST § 116B.01 - 13
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Minnesota protects the environment under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA). Under MERA, citizens may bring suits for civil remedies where activities are interfering with their enjoyment of natural resources, including eagle nesting sites. The law provides a comprehensive scheme under which anyone with sufficient interest in protecting land, water, air, or any natural resources may bring suit to enjoin an action. For discussion of federal Eagle Act, see Detailed Discussion.
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MN - Humane Slaughter - Slaughter of Livestock
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MN ST § 31.59 - 592
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This section comprises Minnesota's humane slaughter laws. The law requires humane slaughter of livestock, defined as any method of slaughtering livestock which normally causes animals to be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow of a mechanical instrument or shot of a firearm or by chemical, or other means that are rapid and effective; or by methods of preparation necessary to Halal ritual slaughter, Jewish ritual slaughter and of slaughtering required by the ritual of the Islamic or Jewish faith. "Livestock" under this act is limited to cattle, horses, swine, sheep and goats. Any slaughterer who by act or failure to act violates section 31.591 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished accordingly.
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MN - Hunting - 97A.037. Hunter, trapper, and angler harassment prohibited
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MN ST § 97A.037
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This law reflects Minnesota's hunter harassment provision. This law prohibits the intentional interference with the taking of wild animals. A person is also prohibited from disturbing wild animals to prevent or disrupt their lawful taking. Further, a person who has the intent to violate this law may not enter or remain on public lands or private land without permission of the owner. A person must obey the order of a peace officer to stop the harassing conduct that violates this section if the officer observes the conduct. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
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MN - Hunting - 97A.105. Game and fur farms
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MN ST § 97A.105
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In Minnesota, there are license requirements for breeding fur-bearing animals, game birds, bear, and mute swans. Fox and mink may not be bought or sold for breeding unless they have been pen-bred for at least two generations. Live beaver may not be transported without a permit. A violation may result in all animals being confiscated. It is not necessary to have a license to purchase live game birds or their eggs if the birds are released, consumed, or processed within one year.
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MN - Impound - 35.71. Unclaimed and unredeemed animals impounded; scientific use or other disposition
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MN ST § 35.71
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This law mandates that all animals seized by public authority must be held for redemption for at least 5 business days by the impounding agency or a longer time if specified by municipal ordinance. At the end of the five-day period, all animals which remain unredeemed must be made available to any licensed institution which has requested that number of animals. However, if a tag affixed to the animal or a statement by the animal's owner after the animal's seizure specifies that the animal may not be used for research, the animal must not be made available to any institution and may, in the discretion of the establishment, be destroyed after the expiration of the five-day period. An “institution” means a school or college of agriculture, veterinary medicine, medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry, or an educational or scientific establishment properly concerned with investigation or instruction concerning the structure or functions of living organisms or the cause, prevention, control, or cure of diseases or abnormal conditions of human beings or animals.
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MN - Licenses - 347.14. Unlicensed dogs
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MN ST § 347.14
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This Minnesota statute, amended in 2006, provides that any person may seize, impound, or restrain any unlicensed dog which the person may find running at large. The fact that a dog is without a license attached to a collar shall be presumptive evidence that the dog is unlicensed. An officer is under a duty to seize and impound such animal.
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MN - Ordinances - 347.21. Interpretation (dog ordinances)
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MN ST § 347.21
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This Minnesota statute provides that state dog control laws are supplemental to local provisions enacted by ordinance and shall not be construed as to modify, repeal, or prevent municipalities from prohibiting, licensing, or regulating the running at large of dogs.
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MN - Ordinances - 365.10. Annual town meeting; powers of electors
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MN ST § 365.10
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Under this Minnesota statute, town electors at their annual town meeting, are empowered to exercise control over a number of activities relating to dogs. They can decide the locations of pounds, set the number of poundmasters, and discontinue a pound. The electors may make orders and bylaws on restraining horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and other domestic animals from going at large on roads. They may also make orders and bylaws on the impounding of domestic animals going at large and fix penalties for violations of the orders and bylaws. The electors may let the town board pass an ordinance for licensing dogs and cats and regulating their presence, keeping, and running at large in the town. The electors are also granted the authority to provide for a specific activity that is within any of the following categories: the promotion of health, safety, order, and convenience, and the general welfare.
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MN - Ordinances - 366.01. Town board powers listed; formal name
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MN ST § 366.01
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This Minnesota statute provides that the supervisors of each town constituting a town board are empowered to license and regulate the presence or keeping of dogs or domestic animal pets when deemed to be in the public interest.
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MN - Ordinances - Chanhassen and Minneapolis Animal Control Ordinances
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Chanhassen - 5-1 - 107; Minneapolis - Ch. 62. In General, §§ 62.10--62.80 - Ch. 76. Stables, §§ 76.10--76.90
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These ordinances comprise the municipalities of Chanhassen and Minneapolis, Minnesota's animal control provisions.
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MN - Rabies - Chapter 35. Animal Health
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MN ST § 35.67 - 35.69
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This set of Minnesota laws relates to rabies investigation and proclamation. The owner or custodian of a dog may not permit it to be at large, either on the premises of the owner or elsewhere, within any city or town covered by a proclamation made under section 35.68, during the time the proclamation is in force, unless the dog is effectively muzzled so that it cannot bite any other animal or person. Sec. 35.69 also allows any person to kill a dog found running at large contrary to a rabies proclamation.
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MN - Veterinary - Chapter 156. Veterinarians. Board of Veterinary Medicine.
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MN ST § 156.001 - 20
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These are the state's veterinary practice laws. Among the provisions include licensing requirements, laws concerning the state veterinary board, veterinary records laws, and the laws governing disciplinary actions for impaired or incompetent practitioners.
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MN - Wildlife, possession - Chapter 97A. Game and Fish. Possession and Transportation of Wild Animals.
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MN ST § 97A.501 - 552
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These Minnesota statutes restrict possession and transportation of wild animals. No one may transport wild animals taken, bought, or sold in violation of the game and fish laws. In general, a person may not take, import, transport, or sell an endangered species of wild animal, but there are exceptions.
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