County Board in brief...

The County Board of Commissioners had a public hearing last week before adopting a “dangerous dog” ordinance.  Nobody from the public had any comments or concerns.

The county attorney explained the new wording is clearer and addresses issues with areas in the county where sheriff personnel offer contracted patrol.  Janet Reiter said she is hopeful the cities that enforce their own public safety ordinances will align their code with the new county language and make everything simpler for dog owners to understand what’s in effect where.

Commissioner Ben Montzka suggested all cities, even those with their own specific  police-related code, look at the county language and “be aware” of what the county is doing.

Chisago County Sheriff Brandon Thyen recommended a little over a year ago the county use Companion Animal Care and Control Services, based in the Twin Cities metro, for collecting, housing, handling nuisance animals.  The county paid for the contract in full using covid-19 aid funds for all of 2026,  but for 2027 the jurisdictions that contract with the sheriff for patrol are paying their own share.

The new county ordinance defines that failing to comply with terms of keeping a dangerous dog will result in a $1,000 fine (misdemeanor).  The hearing officer in non-compliance cases can order an animal to be destroyed.  The authorities at any time when a hearing on the designation is pending may seize and hold the animal.

To retain a dangerous dog the owner must post the property and the dog must wear a collar with a tag that depicts the dangerous dog symbol.  The owner must have special insurance and microchip the dog within 14 days of it being designated dangerous.  The term refers to a dog that has “bitten, chased, attacked or threatened” a person or other animal.