HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeral Animal Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 11 -01 -06
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING ADVISORY GUIDELINES FOR THE
DISPOSITION OF FERAL ANIMALS
WHEREAS, Oak Park Heights Ordinance #601 provides for the regulation of dogs and cats within
the city, seizure, and disposition of those animals; and
WHEREAS, Oak Park Heights Ordinance #1109 prohibits nuisances within the city; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes including 343.29, provide for the prevention of cruelty, removal,
shelter, and care for any animal not properly sheltered or cared for; those animals may be
immediately disposed of by a licensed doctor of veterinary care under given circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Oak Park Heights Police Department or its authorized agents provide for the
enforcement and control of animals within the City of Oak Park Heights; and
WHEREAS, feral animals are those which have escaped or born away from a domestic or
captive status and are living more or less as a wild animal, and animals that are believed to be
feral often will not survive and can incur unnecessary suffering even with attempts at care and
sheltering, and
WHEREAS, feral animals may pose a danger to citizens and domestic animals of citizens,
including being bitten, exposed to disease, and other dangers and nuisances.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to guide the Oak Park Heights Police Department or its authorized
agents this policy is established for the impounding and disposition of feral animals and the City
of Oak Park Heights does hereby approve the following:
BE IT RESOLVED that the following policy guidelines are established for the disposition of
animals believed to be feral, and it is understood that the guidelines may be deviated from
given compelling and /or emergent circumstances presented in individual cases:
a. Animals not able to be impounded at a contracted shelter of the City of Oak Park Heights
due to them being feral will be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian; any animal refused at the
established animal control facility of the city shall be presumed to be "feral" or wild.
b. If in such cases the veterinarian makes a determination that the animal is feral or wild and
would suffer by being impounded, or is beyond reasonable impoundment and /or care available
to domesticated pets, then the animal(s) may be promptly euthanized and disposed of by the i
Veterinarian or the Oak Park Heights Police Department, trained personnel or a contractual
agent secured for those purposes
c. The Oak Park Heights Police Chief and City Administrator are authorized to seek and enter
into a contract with, if necessary, a licensed veterinarian to assist with determining and
disposition of feral or wild animals.
Passed by the City Council for the city of 1. ark Heights, this 25th day of January, 2011.
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David B-: iet, Mayor
E ric son, City Administrator.