Memo Non-Domesticated Animals
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CITY OF HOPKINS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April I, 1991
TO: Hopkins city Council
FROM: Jim Genellie
SUBJECT: Non-Domesticated Animals
Attached is a proposed ordinance regulating non-domesticated
animals. A non-domesticated animal is defined in the ordinance but
is, in essence, an animal that is not normally a pet and whose
presence in an urban setting, such as Hopkins, is likely to result
in a dangerous condition or a nuisance.
staff has considered such an ordinance in the past. People have
approached the city concerning the keeping of various exotic
animals as pets. In the last year a resident has acquired a
. cougar. While this animal is de-clawed it has alarmed a number of
neighbors.
Staff is now proposing to adopt the attached ordinance which is
based on a Bloomington ordinance. This ordinance would prevent
anyone from bringing in such an animal in the futUre. The
ordinance also requires that any non-domesticated animal that is
currently in the city be removed within 90 days.
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Section 940 - Animals
. 940.01. Definitions. Subdivision 1. Non-Domesticated Animal. A
non-
domesticated animal is defined as any wild animal, reptile or fowl, which is not
naturally tame or gentle but is of a wild nature or disposition and which, because of
its size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human
life or property.
Subd. 2. Farm Animal. A farm animal is defined as an animal which is
normally found on a farm, ranch or stable. Such animals include, but are not limited
to, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and chickens.
940.02. Prohibited Animals. No person shall keep, maintain or harbor within the
City of Hopkins any of the following animals.
Subd. 1. Any animal or species prohibited by Minnesota or Federal law.
Subd. 2. Any non~domesticated animal or species~ including but not limited
to the following:
a) Any skunk, whether captured in the wild, domestically raised, descented
or not descented, vaccinated against rabies or not vaccinated against
rabies.
b) Any large cat of the family Felidae such as lions, tigers, jaguars,
leopards, cougars and ocelots, except commonly accepted domesticated
. house cats.
c) Any member of the family Canidae, such as, wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingos
and jackals, except domesticated dogs.
d) Any crossbreed such as the crossbreeds between dogs and coyotes or dogs
and wolves but does not include crossbred domesticated animals.
e) Any poisonous pit viper such as a rattlesnake, coral snake, water
moccasin or cobra.
f) Any raccoon.
g) Any ferret
h) Any other animal which is not listed explicitly above, but which can be
reasonably defined by the terms in Section 940.01 of this ordinance,
including bears and badgers.
Subd. 3. Any farm animal.
940.03. Sel1in~ Prohibited. No person shall offer for sale, within the city
Hmi ts , any animal prohibited in Section 940.02 of this ordinance.
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940.04. Exceptions.
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Subd. l. Any persons desiring to keep animals prohibited under Section
940.02 shall obtain a temporary conditional use permit from the City Council. Such a
permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed thirty days and shall specify
further conditions under which such animals shall be kept. Provided, however, that
no such permit shall be issued unless such prohibited animal is brought into the city
for entertainment, exhibition, show or promotional purposes only. A public zoo or
other institution engaged in a permanent display of animals may be issued a permanent
conditional use permit provided applicable zoning requirements are met.
Subd. 2. Non-poisonous snakes, birds kept indoors, hamsters, mice, rabbits,
gerbils, white rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or lizards, and similar small animals
capable of being maintained continuously in cages are also exempt and do not require
a permit.
Subd. 3. Persons keeping animals for a public zoo as volunteers, teachers or
otherwise, any bona fide research institution or veterinary hospital are exempt from
the permit requirement; provided protective devices adequate to prevent such animals
from escaping or injuring the public are provided.
Subd. 4. Handicapped persons keeping monkeys trained as household helpers
are exempt.
940.05. Impoundin~ of non-domesticated animals. Any non-domestic animal kept in
violation of this ordinance may be impounded by the city, and, after being so
. impounded for three (3) days or more without being reclaimed by the owner, may be
destroyed or sold. Any person reclaiming any such impounded animal shall pay the
costs of impounding an keeping the same.
940.06. Existing non-domesticated animals. Anyone keeping or maintaining any
non-domesticated animal at the time this ordinance is adopted has ninety days in
which to comply with the provisions of this ordinance. Extensions beyond ninety days
may be granted for just cause by the City Council.
940.07. Penalty. Violation of any provision of this Subdivision shall be a
misdemeanor.
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