County to adopt dog ordinance

Crow Wing County soon will have a dog ordinance.

The Crow Wing County Board heard an update Tuesday and plans to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance later this month.

The dog ordinance would affect townships that don't have an ordinance in place. Crow Wing and Oak Lawn townships have their own dog ordinance.

The ordinance will enforce penalties to dog owners who violate the ordinance. Anyone found in violation can be found guilty of a petty misdemeanor and could pay a fine up to $300.

Commissioner Ed Larsen said a financial plan still needs to be determined on the way fines would be gathered when a stray dog is impounded.

"People want to know how it'll be paid for and they don't want to pay for it twice," said Larsen.

In the proposed ordinance, any dog that is 6 months or older would have to be "under restraint." Under restraint means a dog must be on the premises of its owner, be at the person's side and obedient to that person's command, be within a private motor vehicle of the owner, or be controlled by a leash that does not exceed six feet.

A dog control officer would enforce the law. This officer may capture, seize and deliver any dog running at large within the county. The officer would mail a notice to the dog owner, if known, within 24 hours of impoundment.

The ordinance also states any dog that is not claimed by its owner after seven days of impoundment can be sold to anyone wanting to buy it.

The ordinance also addresses nuisance offenses by dogs. People must keep their dogs from barking, yelping, howling and whimpering in a manner that would disturb neighbors.