7-302 - Animal Calls

1. Minneapolis Animal Care and Control has the primary responsibility for enforcing City ordinances relating to animals. Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) are on duty:

• Monday through Friday – 0730 hours to 2200 hours
• Saturday and Sunday – 0730 hours to 1700 hours

2. Animal Control Officers are on-call seven days a week during non-business hours, and will only respond in the following situations:

1. When Animal Control assistance is required during a police action;
2. A person is taken into custody and an animal will otherwise be left with no caretaker or in a manner that endangers the animal’s health or safety;
3. An animal was incidentally killed or injured as the result of a police action and no owner is present or the owner is unable or refuses to provide veterinary treatment;
4. An animal was intentionally killed by police because it was a danger to the public.
5. When an animal, dead or alive, needs to be impounded as evidence in animal neglect or cruelty cases.
6. An animal is found which requires emergency veterinary treatment and no owner is present, or the owner is unable or refuses to provide treatment.
7. When a person has been bitten and the animal is at large, or the animal and owner are present but there is reason to believe the owner will flee with the animal.
8. When the officers on a scene request assistance regarding an animal that is creating an immediate safety hazard to the public. In such cases, the on-call ACO may first call the reporting party or the officer to evaluate the public safety risk based upon the reported animal behavior.
9. In the event a situation does not fit the above criteria, and officers believe a response from Animal Control is necessary, officers may request the on-duty or on-call ACO via Channel 7. The ACO will assess the circumstances and determine the appropriate course of action.

3. ACO’s will not enter any scene until it has been secured by officers. MECC personnel will communicate to the ACO when the scene is safe. Officers will remain on the scene until the ACO has completed his/her duties. (12/30/10)

1. A squad will be dispatched to an animal bite if;

1. the attack is in progress;
2. the attack was directed by a person;
3. the injuries require medical attention;
4. the animal is normally wild (i.e. bear, raccoon); or
5. An ACO requests assistance.

2. Officers responding to the scene of an animal bite shall:

1. Attempt to identify the animal (including obtaining a basic description) and locate or determine its direction of travel from the scene.
2. Attempt to determine ownership if the animal is a pet.
3. Inform the owner that the biting animal must be quarantined per Minneapolis City Ordinance 66.40 and that an animal control officer will contact them to make arrangements for the ten-day quarantine.
4. Advise the bite victim to seek medical treatment for any injuries received from the bite and to contact Animal Care and Control the following day via 311.

3. If the biting animal dies or is killed, officers shall request that MECC Channel 7 contact Animal Control to respond.
4. Responding officer(s) shall complete a CAPRS report titled ABITE.

1. Animal fighting constitutes a felony and includes the activity of dog fighting, cock fighting, or violent pitting of one domestic animal against another. (12/30/10)
2. Animal Control shall be called out to the scene for the purpose of impounding animals and assisting in determining items of evidentiary value. (11/06/07) (12/30/10)
3. Officers shall photograph the scene or contact the Crime Lab for assistance, when needed. (12/30/10)
4. Officers shall property inventory all items determined to be of evidentiary value. (12/30/10)
5. ACO’s will not enter the scene until it has been secured by officers. MECC personnel will assist in communication with Animal Control when the scene is properly secured. Officers will remain on the scene until the ACO has completed his/her duties. (08/03/98) (11/06/07) (12/30/10)

The Domestic Violence Intervention Initiative is a partnership between the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. The purpose of this program is to provide free pet kenneling to individuals who want to leave a violent domestic relationship but are reluctant due to concerns for their pet’s safety.

1. During MACC regular hours:

1. Officers will request an Animal Control Officer (ACO) to come to the scene via MECC Channel 7.
2. The ACO will have the victim fill out and sign the necessary forms.

2. When no ACO is on-duty officers have two options to complete the kenneling process:

1. Officers may request an ACO to assist by contacting MECC Channel 7, or
2. Officers may elect to handle the kenneling process themselves. Officers choosing to complete the kenneling process shall have the victim complete the following forms, available on MPDnet under Forms/Domestic Violence Intervention Initiative – Forms for Kenneling (Form MP-9064):

• Domestic Violence Animal Release Form
• Domestic Violence Visitation Form, and
• Domestic Violence MN AFAS Waiver Form (optional).

3. Bring the animal to the MPD animal drop at MACC. Animals may be brought to MACC 24 hours a day.
4. Complete an MACC Impound Form (located in the box on the wall by the kennel). The CCN must be written on the form. Place all completed forms in the box on the wall.
5. Request to have Channel 7 notify the on-call ACO that an animal has been impounded under the Domestic Violence Initiative.

1. Officers have the option of transporting a mild mannered animal to the Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) facility (212 17th Ave No) rather than waiting for an ACO to respond to the scene.
2. When transporting an animal to the Minneapolis Animal Care and Control facility:

1. The animal shall be transported in the backseat of a squad car;
2. The animal shall be secured in a cage provided at the MACC facility, (located on the west side of the building inside the entrance marked for MPD);
3. No items (including leashes) shall be placed in the cage with the animal;
4. Follow the posted instructions at the Animal Control facility and complete the necessary form provided.
5. Officers shall not leave an animal at the MACC facility without the proper form(s) completed.

1. Animal Control may transport dead animals during regular operating hours.
2. When no ACO is on-duty, officers should make sure the dead animal is not obstructing traffic and notify Animal Control of the location for pickup by leaving a message at 311.

1. If the dead animal bit a person before it died or was killed, officers shall contact MECC Channel 7 to request that an ACO respond to the scene.
2. If criminal activity is suspected (e.g. animal cruelty, dog fighting) officers shall contact MECC Channel 7 to request that an ACO respond to the scene.

All barking dog complaints shall be referred to 311.