1991-679
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HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 91-679
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE
KEEPING OF NON-DOMESTICATED ANIMALS
WITHIN THE CITY OF HOPKINS
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the city of Hopkins as follows:
SECTION 1. That the Hopkins City Code is amended by adding a new
section 940 to read as follows:
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. Sellin& Prohibited. No person shall offer for sale, within the city
limits, any animal prohibited in Section 940.02 of this ordinance.
940.04
Excentions.
Subd. 1. 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. Before issuance of
any temporary conditional use permit, the applicant shall provide the City with proof
of insurance including public liability insurance
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.
are exempt.
Handicapped persons keeping monkeys trained as household helpers
940.05. Imnounding of non-domesticated animals. Any non-domestic animal kept in
violation of this ordinance may be impounded by the city Unless such impounded
animal is reclaimed and removed from the City, or is issued a permit to allow it to
remain in the City, or unless the owner petitions the District Court for a
determination that the animal is exempt from the provisions of this ordinance, the
animal may be destroyed or sold five (5) days following notice to the owner of such
animal of its impoundment and the provisions of this ordinance
Any person reclaiming any such impounded animal shall pay the costs of impounding and
keeping the same at the time of its release.
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, but in no case shall such
extension permanently exempt a person from the requirements of this ordinance.
940 07 Penalty.
misdemeanor.
Violation of any provision of this Subdivision shall be a
.
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First Reading: May 21, 1991
Second Reading: June 4, 1991
Date of Publication: June 12, 1991
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: July 3, 1991
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Attest: