Animal Control Unit

Within the State of Minnesota, leaving a dog inside a parked vehicle is not a crime until the conditions in the vehicle present a health hazard to the animal.

If outside conditions warrant, please contact 911 when a violation is occurring.

Animal Control will be dispatched to take digital infrared temperature readings inside the vehicle. If the owner cannot be contacted, and conditions warrant, the animal will be removed and transported to the shelter.

Depending on the circumstances, a citation or complaint may be issued against the animal owner.

• Minnesota State Statute 346.57: Dogs and Cats in Motor Vehicles

Bats found in living or sleeping areas may need to be captured if it is determined the bat may have bitten someone. The bat would be sent to the Rabies Diagnostic Lab for testing.

All animal bites and aggressive animal behavior should be reported to the Police by calling 911.

Coyotes are one of nature's ways of controlling nuisance wildlife populations, such as rabbits, small rodents and deer. They generally stay away from people and there have been no reports of coyotes being aggressive towards people in Bloomington or surrounding cities.

• More information about living with urban/suburban wildlife

Animal Control Officers enforce State and local cruelty laws. Call 911 if you witness cruelty to an animal. You can contact the Animal Control Officer 952-563-4942 (24 hours a day) when you observe:

• Neglect of an animal
• Unsanitary conditions.
• Unrestrained dog(s).
• Problems with cat(s)

Although Animal Control Officers do not remove healthy wildlife from property, any questions about wildlife will be answered, and ACOs will respond to assist or remove injured wildlife.

Lost and found animal reports may be made at any time, 24 hours a day. Call Animal Control at 952-563-4942.

Excessive animal noise is prohibited. Call Animal Control to report a noise problem. If an Animal Control Officer (ACO) is not available, a Police Officer will respond.

Excessive noise is defined in City Code Section 12.99 of the City Code.

Pets must be restrained at all times. Unlike dogs, cats and other pets must always be kept on the owner's property. Every dog owner must protect people, property and animals from injuries or damages which might result from the dog's behavior.

• At home, a dog must be within a sturdy, enclosed fence or building.
• A dog may be restrained within a secure vehicle.
• When picketing a dog, use a chain or metal cable, which is attached to a fixed object. The picket should only be located in the rear yard of the owner's property and the dog's chain should not reach within 10 feet of the property line or sidewalk and fifty feet of a house other than the owner's.
• When walking a leashed dog and a person or animal approaches within 20 feet, the leash must be shortened to six feet.
• Voice control may be used if the dog is: on the owner's property, in a dog show or an obedience demonstration, hunting or retrieving game, or on City-owned property designated as an off-leash area.