City of Minneapolis rewrites pet laws with proposed changes

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minneapolis Animal Care and Control officials are rewriting city ordinances to streamline standards for pets and their owners. MACC is in charge of responding to and investigating animal reports throughout the city, as well as operating an animal shelter.

Last year, the Minneapolis city council asked MACC to review the ordinances that govern their practices. After months of research, the department announced in late October they had created an ordinance that would define the standards for pet ownership and animal protection in the city, according to the department’s website.

One of the proposed changes would directly address one of MACC's most frequent complaints: barking dogs: The new ordinance would clarify both the time of day and amount of time an animal must be making noise before the department will intervene.

Here are some of the notable proposed changes:

Nuisance complaints

Noise must be plainly audible across a property line or through partitions common to two residences and must take place for 15 minutes between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. or for 10 minutes between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Leashing and tethering

Tethered animals must be monitored and the owner nearby to intervene when necessary to prevent injury
Leaving dogs tethered while no one is home is prohibited

License and permit requirements

New permits would allow residents to own non-toxic, non-venomous and non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians as pets
Dangerous reptiles and amphibians and some larger turtles will continue to be prohibited as pets
No licensing requirement for rabbits (but including rabbits in multiple animal permit requirements)

Responsible pet ownership

Pet owners are required to provide: