Having a limit to how many furry friends a person can own may seem like a cruel and unusual punishment, but such restrictions ensure each dog is safe and cared for accordingly by their owner.

To help you figure out which dog laws you should be aware of,

Jerry

, the

home insurance

broker and

super app

, has compiled this guide to legal dog ownership in Minnesota.

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Does Minnesota have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?

While there is no statewide law regarding how many dogs you can own, there are specific regulations for different areas in Minnesota.

For example, if you live in

Minneapolis

, you’ll need to acquire a multiple animal permit if you own four or more dogs, four or more cats, or five or more of any combination of cats, dogs, rabbits, or ferrets.

To apply for a permit, you can contact

311

, and an officer will inspect your home to ensure your animals are safe and properly cared for.

Other cities around the metro area have limits regarding pet ownership, and many require owners to acquire dog licenses and proof of rabies vaccination for each dog. To learn about the specific laws in your city, check out this

list

of areas and their respective rules.

Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Minnesota?

There are no breed-specific regulations in Minnesota. However, the North Star State does have restrictions on what are referred to as “dangerous dogs.” In Minnesota, the following qualify a dog as dangerous:

A dog has, unprovoked, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being on public or private property

A dog has killed a domestic animal unprovoked while off the owner’s property

A dog has been found to be potentially dangerous, and after the owner has notice that the dog is potentially dangerous, the dog aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans or domestic animals

“Potentially dangerous dogs,” on the other hand, are those that:

When unprovoked, inflict bites on a human or domestic animal on public or private property

When unprovoked, chase or approach a person in a seemingly aggressive manner

Has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals

MORE: Can you get pet insurance for a pet with preexisting conditions?

What are the leash laws in Minnesota?

There are no statewide laws in Minnesota that govern leashing your furry friends, but each municipality does have its own rules in place to support responsible pet ownership. For example, Lakeville’s leash law requires all dogs to be on a leash, with two exceptions:

Dogs that receive an American Kennel Club “Canine Good Citizen” certificate or its approved equivalent can be off-leash

A dog fitted with an electronic collar can be off-leash

Saint Paul

, dogs are not permitted to run at large and must be in a fenced yard, on a tie-out, or leashed. In addition, your enclosed yard must have a fence that:

Is high enough to keep the dog from jumping

Has no holes or unsecured gates that the dog could push through

If you don’t have a yard, you must exercise your dog at an off-leash dog park or in public spaces on-leash.

While leash laws vary by municipality, any unlicensed dogs found at large in Minnesota will be impounded.

Penalties for breaking dog laws in Minnesota

If a dog or dog owner fails to comply with responsible dog ownership laws, they will be required to appear in court and go through the following legal process:

A dog that has consistently worried, chased, or molested people or groups traveling peacefully on the public road will be deemed a public nuisance. If a dog has been alleged a public nuisance, a judge will issue a summons to the owner to appear before the judge at a specified time

If the judge finds the dog to be a public nuisance after hearing the relevant evidence, the judge may order the appropriate public official to kill and dispose of the dog

If a dog has attacked or injured a person without provocation, the owner will be liable for damages for the full amount of the injury sustained

MORE:

Pet medical insurance companies

Where to find affordable insurance in Minnesota

While your dog may be an expert at alerting you of any activity outside of your home, it’s still a good idea to protect you and everyone inside it with the right

homeowners insurance

. With #1 rated super-app

Jerry

in your pocket, you can rest assured you’re not overpaying for your coverage.

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The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on car insurance alone—and you can find substantial savings by bundling your home and auto policies together. With savings like that, you’ll be able to give your dog the care they need.

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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

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