Brainerd Lakes Area Animal Control

22/09/2020

SOP regarding what happens when we pick up a stray animal...

To clear up any confusion as to how we handle calls let me tell you what happens when we pick a dog/cat up off the street.

First of all we get it secured either on a leash or in a kennel. The last thing I want to have happen is it slips away and gets hit by a car.

If I do not recognize it we bring it to the shelter and prepare a kennel for it. During the check in process I remove any collars and check for tags. If there are any tags we record the info. Also they all get scanned for a chip, and that info gets recorded.

If I'm able to identify the owner they get notified right away.

That's the process and that's how it's always going to be.

Now, many times I've picked up a dog and already had its owner call to notify it was out, and I have delivered them straight home. That's not the norm however. It seems every time I do that it's a never ending cycle. Ie. last summer I had one guys dogs in the back of my truck 7 (yes 7) times before I issued him a single citation.

It isn't the cities job, or mine to run around 75 hours per week and bringing your strays straight home. People need to take a bit of personal responsibility here.

Cheryl, you seem hung up on this dog from last night, so let me explain it one last time. It had a rabies tag from a local vet which was closed. We were able to get 2 cell numbers from a guy who grabbed the dog and called the vet right beforethey closed, but unfortunately neither worked.

This am, right when the vet opened up they returned my call with an address. I drove to the address and it was indeed the owners. I informed him we had his dog and he went right to the shelter and reclaimed it, about 15 hours after we picked it up.

I was sent screen shots of your post on the animal page which you know I'm not on. Again you are spreading rumors, please stop.

By the way, the owner was very pleased that we were able to keep his dog from being ran over on 371.

If you have any concerns about how animal control operates please take it up with the city administrator or chief of police, or just give me a call. Starting rumors on facebook isn't going to do anyone any good and if you continue to knowingly slander me I will be forced to take further action.

Posting these pictures online was initially my idea as a way to reunite Pets with their homes asap but honestly, I don't need to. This is a headache I just don't have the time for and don't need

Mike
218-820-6288

22/09/2020

We just removed 53 cats from a single home in ne Brainerd. As I explained in the city code post the limit is 4.

This is not what being a responsible pet owner is about.

It's not good for the animals, it isn't good for the people living in the home, and its not good for the community.

If you have concerns that somebody is hoarding animals and would like it investigated please contact me.

You can remain completely anonymous

Mike

18/09/2020

Baxter dog ordinances-

I write dog, not animal for a specific reason- there is no cat ordinance in the city of Baxter. Chickens, which have recently been approved for the masses, is still under the zoning code- not animal ordinance. If im told that changes i will let you know.

CHAPTER 3 DOGS

5-3-1: Running At Large Prohibited
5-3-2: License Required


5-3-1: RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED:
No dog shall be permitted to run at large within the limits of this city.

5-3-2: LICENSE REQUIRED:
No person shall own, keep, harbor or have custody of any dog over six (6) months of age without first obtaining a license therefor from the city clerk or his agent and attaching the license tag issued to said dog.

Licenses need to be purchased ea year and run from Jan 1- Dec 31, and you need to show a valid current rabies vaccination cert to purchase a license.

Yes, there are things that are Applicable but not listed, such as barking dogs. They are covered under the noise ordinance.

there are also state laws which you must abide by and we enforce if needed such as neglect issues. So just because its not written out in the ordinance doesnt mean its a free for all in Baxter.

If you have any questions please ask them here.

Mike

17/09/2020

Does anyone know who owns the white Shepherd on Soder Rd right where 371 goes around N Long Lk??

16/09/2020

www.ci.brainerd.mn.us

BRAINERD CITY ORDINANCES WHICH WE SEE THE MOST ISSUES WITH...

Here is the link for the full animal control ordinance for the city of Brainerd. I'll post the issue and the actual ordinance number, and you can verify with the full ordinance the exact wording.

https://www.ci.brainerd.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/121/Section-900---Animals-PDF

If you have any questions lets hear em.

#1) 900.03 subd. 1- You cant let your dogs or cats run wild on the streets of Brainerd. This aint old Mexico people, this one should be common sense. First of all, if you dont have to clean up dog poo in your yard someone else must have to, and they are probably sick of cleaning up your dogs poo. I know, you think your cat wants to be outside and he probably does, but i assure you your neighbor doesnt want him peeing on his front step. There are some really cool options for oversized kennels if you really want your cat to get some sun and there are about 900 options to keep your dogs in your yard. At least once per week we have to scrape up a dead dog or cat off the street and im really not enjoying that. One of the hardest things ive ever had to do was watch a 12 year old boy watch me load up his dead dog into the back of my truck. Please keep your pets under control.

#2) 900.03 subd. 2- all dogs over the age of 4 months must be registered and licensed by the city. The fee is $20 yearly or $15 if its fixed. This is an annual license which runs from Jan 1st through Dec 31st. There is no license requirement for cats.

#3) 900.03 subd. 4- all dogs and cats kept, harbored, or passing through the city of Brainerd MUST have a current valid rabies vaccination.

#4) 900.13 subd. 1- you can only have a total of 4 combined cats and dogs. This means you can have 3 cats and 1 dog, 2 and 2, or if you just hate cats you can have 4 dogs, it does not mean you can have 4 cats and 4 dogs. So if your brother in law has moved in with you and he showed up with 3 cats in tow and you already have 2 dogs, its a great excuse to not let the brother in law move in with you. You can thank me later.

#5) 900.11 subd. 1- commercial kennels arent allowed in the city of Brainerd. If you have more than 4 dogs we consider that a commercial kennel, and there is an ordinance against that- pretty straight forward.

#6) 900.15 subd. 3- clean up your dogs poo... Basically if your dog or cat p**p on property that isnt owned by you it needs to be cleaned up by you immediately. Failure to do so will result in an automatic $75 fine. Fair warning, this is a pet peeve with me. If i see you in gregory park and you watch your dog take a dump and you keep walking you are definately getting a citation. My kids play there, many kids play there, clean up your dog crap please. You are also responsible for cleaning up the dog p**p in your own yard. From May 1 through October 31 you need to clean it up every 72 hours and once per week from november 1 through April 30. I wondered about the need for this ordinance but ive seen it several times whrere there was so much p**n in someones yard that the neighbors had to deal with the stench.

#7) 900.29- please provide the essentials for your pets. All animals shall receive from their owners or keepers kind
treatment, housing in the winter, and sufficient food and water for their comfort.

#8) 900.08 subd. 1- chickens, yes they are regulated and you need to read it if you want chickens in the city limits.

Ill read through this later as im sure i missed something. Id encourage you to read the regulations as they are about 18 pages long and they cover things like exotics and bees. No Carol Baskins here though, the big cats are prohibited.

If you have any questions fire away, and remember, i didnt write these

mike

16/09/2020

It is very clear to me that after over a year of interacting with the public in Brainerd, Baxter, and Crosby that a bunch of you all dont understand the animal control laws in your communities. I aim to rectify that. My goal is to not have to issue any citations, and if we can get you all up to date with the laws everything will be peachy.

Im going to make a series of facebook posts over the next few days briefly explaining the laws, or at least the ones we have the most questions about in each city seperately.

If you have any specific questions that you would like answered please ask them here. This isnt a debate about the current laws. If you want something changed im not the guy that can make that happen. I can, however, better explain the laws and make sure you know and understand what is expected of you in your city.

I'll start tonight with the city of Brainerd.

Mike

14/08/2020

Just picked up a younger male Husky in Crosby. Pictures tomorrow

15/07/2020

I picked up a super sweet female orange tabby cat near the Brainerd public library this evening. No tail-

Please call me if its yours

Mike
218 820-6288