WELCOME MFHS STATE HUMANE AGENTS
ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS
MINNESOTA ANIMAL WELFARE STATUTES AND CRIMINAL CODES
The following links will help provide you with current information on Minnesota animal welfare laws, statutes and codes.
ANIMAL CARE GUIDELINES ARE AS FOLLOWS: https://www.avma.org/policies/companion-animal-care-guidelines
STATUTES
Cruelty to Animals – Chapter 343
Pet and Companion Welfare Act – Chapter 346
Minnesota Exotic Animals – Chapter 346.155
Livestock and disease control – Chapter 35
Fish & Game – Chapter 97A
Regulation of Dangerous Dogs – Chapter 347.50
Sale of Dogs and Cats – Chapter 325F
CRIMINAL CODE
Misrepresentation of Service Animal – Code 609.033
Harm Caused by Dog – Code 609.226
Dangerous Animals Destroyed – Code 609.227
Unauthorized Release of Animals – Code 609.552
Killing or Harming a Public Safety Dog – Code 609.596
LOCAL ORDINANCES AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Animal licensing and ordinances have been established to protect the citizens as well as the animals in your community. Contact your local city planner, law enforcement or animal control officer for your cities specific requirements.
DOG AND CAT BREEDER BILL
On July 1, 2014 regulations to protect the health and safety of dogs and cats took effect. During the 2014 Legislative Session, Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature enacted the law, "The Breeder Bill", creating licensing and inspection requirements for commercial dog and cat breeders.
A commercial breeder is defined as a person who possesses or has an ownership interest in animals and is engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for consideration, and who possesses ten or more adult intact animals and whose animals produce more than five total litters of puppies or kittens per year.
The law includes standards of care and an annual licensing fee as well as proper facility maintenance and record keeping. Commercial dog and cat breeders are required to register with The Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Commercial dog and cat breeders must obtain an annual license for each facility in Minnesota. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health offers several tools to guide commercial breeders. Visit MBAH's website for more information and to download a registration form.
FEDERAL ANIMAL WELFARE LAW
For up to date information please visit the following website: https://aldf.org/article/laws-that-protect-animals/
MINNESOTA VETERINARIANS ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS "MUST REPORT" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Covered person: veterinarian
Animal Abuse Reporting is: mandatory "must report" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Reportable Offenses:abuse, cruelty, neglect (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Report to: peace officers or humane agents (343.12, 343.29)
Sources: Minnesota Statutes 346.37. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Subdivision 6
https://www.avma.org/resources/animal-health-welfare/minnesota-animal-abuse-resources-veterinarians
PROTECTING ANIMALS AND HUMANS
By reporting and investigating suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect, trained and certified MFHS State Humane Agents together with Law Enforcement have the ability to stop potential violence and suffering and protect both animals and humans.
THE LINK
Over the past 35 years, researchers and professionals in a variety of human services and animal welfare disciplines have established significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored: it is often an indicator or predictor crime and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe. http://nationallinkcoalition.org/
The following links will help provide you with current information on Minnesota animal welfare laws, statutes and codes.
ANIMAL CARE GUIDELINES ARE AS FOLLOWS: https://www.avma.org/policies/companion-animal-care-guidelines
STATUTES
Cruelty to Animals – Chapter 343
Pet and Companion Welfare Act – Chapter 346
Minnesota Exotic Animals – Chapter 346.155
Livestock and disease control – Chapter 35
Fish & Game – Chapter 97A
Regulation of Dangerous Dogs – Chapter 347.50
Sale of Dogs and Cats – Chapter 325F
CRIMINAL CODE
Misrepresentation of Service Animal – Code 609.033
Harm Caused by Dog – Code 609.226
Dangerous Animals Destroyed – Code 609.227
Unauthorized Release of Animals – Code 609.552
Killing or Harming a Public Safety Dog – Code 609.596
LOCAL ORDINANCES AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Animal licensing and ordinances have been established to protect the citizens as well as the animals in your community. Contact your local city planner, law enforcement or animal control officer for your cities specific requirements.
DOG AND CAT BREEDER BILL
On July 1, 2014 regulations to protect the health and safety of dogs and cats took effect. During the 2014 Legislative Session, Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature enacted the law, "The Breeder Bill", creating licensing and inspection requirements for commercial dog and cat breeders.
A commercial breeder is defined as a person who possesses or has an ownership interest in animals and is engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for consideration, and who possesses ten or more adult intact animals and whose animals produce more than five total litters of puppies or kittens per year.
The law includes standards of care and an annual licensing fee as well as proper facility maintenance and record keeping. Commercial dog and cat breeders are required to register with The Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Commercial dog and cat breeders must obtain an annual license for each facility in Minnesota. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health offers several tools to guide commercial breeders. Visit MBAH's website for more information and to download a registration form.
FEDERAL ANIMAL WELFARE LAW
For up to date information please visit the following website: https://aldf.org/article/laws-that-protect-animals/
MINNESOTA VETERINARIANS ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS "MUST REPORT" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Covered person: veterinarian
Animal Abuse Reporting is: mandatory "must report" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Reportable Offenses:abuse, cruelty, neglect (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Report to: peace officers or humane agents (343.12, 343.29)
Sources: Minnesota Statutes 346.37. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Subdivision 6
https://www.avma.org/resources/animal-health-welfare/minnesota-animal-abuse-resources-veterinarians
PROTECTING ANIMALS AND HUMANS
By reporting and investigating suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect, trained and certified MFHS State Humane Agents together with Law Enforcement have the ability to stop potential violence and suffering and protect both animals and humans.
THE LINK
Over the past 35 years, researchers and professionals in a variety of human services and animal welfare disciplines have established significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored: it is often an indicator or predictor crime and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe. http://nationallinkcoalition.org/
Please contact the office should you require case notes/case number to conduct a welfare check or investigation and assistance or should you have questions or need forms emailed to you. Please call 612.866.8663 or email a request to reportanimalcruelty@mnfedhs.org
MFHS ANIMAL WELFARE TRAINING
The 2021 State Humane Agent Training is in development. As a result of Covid-19, we will not be conducting in person training seminars at this time and instead have and are continuing to develop webinars specifically designed for Minnesota Law Enforcement, current appointed MFHS State Humane Agents and new recruits. Each one hour session will provide 1 hour of continuing education credit.
Dates and times for training webinars will be posted here on our MFHS website, on our MFHS Facebook and MFHS State Humane Agent group pages. Invitations to register for the webinars will be sent to Minnesota Law Enforcement and MFHS State Humane Agents 2 weeks in advance. Register early to make sure you get a virtual seat as space is limited. Stay tuned.
MFHS/HSUS Law Enforcement & State Humane Agent Education Series Webinars are as follows:
-Animal Welfare Law and Field Education
-Minnesota Animal Welfare Law, Animal Fighting & Animal Welfare Investigations
-Approaching Dogs and Advanced Field Education
Law Enforcement Training conducted by Todd Stosuy. Elisa Johnson-MFHS/ED/State Humane Agent/Investigations, Christine Coughlin-HSUS/MN Director
MFHS State Humane Agent Training conducted by Sgt. Mike Frye-Mpls. PD/Investigations, Jena Wasche-MACC/ACO/Investigations, Mark Anderson-NMACC/ACO/Investigations, Mario Lee-ACO, State Humane Agent/Investigations
Thank you to to our wonderful colleagues at HSUS and to the sponsors Justice Clearinghouse and NACA for your support.
Invitations to attend trainings will be sent via email to all current certified agents, interested law enforcement and qualified applicants.
For more information or to request a link to a current training please Contact us.
Dates and times for training webinars will be posted here on our MFHS website, on our MFHS Facebook and MFHS State Humane Agent group pages. Invitations to register for the webinars will be sent to Minnesota Law Enforcement and MFHS State Humane Agents 2 weeks in advance. Register early to make sure you get a virtual seat as space is limited. Stay tuned.
MFHS/HSUS Law Enforcement & State Humane Agent Education Series Webinars are as follows:
-Animal Welfare Law and Field Education
-Minnesota Animal Welfare Law, Animal Fighting & Animal Welfare Investigations
-Approaching Dogs and Advanced Field Education
Law Enforcement Training conducted by Todd Stosuy. Elisa Johnson-MFHS/ED/State Humane Agent/Investigations, Christine Coughlin-HSUS/MN Director
MFHS State Humane Agent Training conducted by Sgt. Mike Frye-Mpls. PD/Investigations, Jena Wasche-MACC/ACO/Investigations, Mark Anderson-NMACC/ACO/Investigations, Mario Lee-ACO, State Humane Agent/Investigations
Thank you to to our wonderful colleagues at HSUS and to the sponsors Justice Clearinghouse and NACA for your support.
Invitations to attend trainings will be sent via email to all current certified agents, interested law enforcement and qualified applicants.
For more information or to request a link to a current training please Contact us.
A great big THANK YOU to all of the incredible, dedicated and hard-working MFHS State Humane Agents! THANK YOU ALL!
GO TEAM!
GO TEAM!
