Minnesota's Plan for Dangerous Dogs

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MINNESOTA – In Minnesota, the City of Apple Valley is taking a new approach to dealing with so called “dangerous dogs.” Rather than banning certain breeds, they're looking into each dog's behavior.

A new ordinance would allow authorities to determine just how dangerous a dog may be – and decide from there how to accommodate them in a way that reduces risk.

Here's how it works.

If a dog has a history of unprovoked attack that causes bodily harm, it's considered “dangerous.”

If a dog commits an unprovoked attack that doesn't result in bodily harm, it's considered “potentially dangerous.”

In either case, such dogs will be micro-chipped, and must wear muzzles when in public. If the dog dies, is sold or is moved, police must be notified within14 days.

But there's a twist. The ordinance proposes that dangerous dogs may only be housed in industrial areas of the city, away from residential neighborhoods.

That part of the law is a point of contention for dog owners, who would likely have to relocate.

Compared to similar measures though, Apple Valley's plan works on a case by case basis – a fact that demonstrates a new breed of thinking on the issue.

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