1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to animals; changing requirements for the disposition of certain animals;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 347.54, subdivisions 2, 3; proposing 
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 346; repealing Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes 2010, section 35.71, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [346.47] SEIZED ANIMALS.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. As used in this section:
1.9 	(1) "establishment" means any public or private agency, person, society, or 
1.10 	corporation having custody of animals that are seized under the authority of the state or 
1.11 	any political subdivision of the state; and
1.12 	(2) "regular business day" means a day during which the establishment having 
1.13 	custody of an animal is open to the public not less than four consecutive hours between 
1.14 	the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Impoundment; record keeping. All animals seized by public authority 
1.16 	must be held in an establishment for redemption by the owner for at least five regular 
1.17 	business days of the establishment or for a longer time specified by municipal ordinance. 
1.18 	Establishments must maintain the following records of the animals in custody, and 
1.19 	preserve the records for at least six months:
1.20 	(1) the description of the animal by species, breed, sex, approximate age, and other 
1.21 	distinguishing traits;
1.22 	(2) the location at which the animal was seized;
1.23 	(3) the date of seizure;
1.24 	(4) the name and address of the person from whom any animal three months of age 
1.25 	or over was received; and
2.1 	(5) the name and address of the person to whom any animal three months of age 
2.2 	or over was transferred.
2.3 	The records must be maintained in a form permitting easy perusal by the public. 
2.4 	A person may view the records and animals in custody at any time during which the 
2.5 	establishment is open to the public.
2.6 		Subd. 3.Release of animals. A person must not release an animal seized and held 
2.7 	under this section for research or product testing, either directly or through an animal 
2.8 	dealer. This subdivision does not apply to the temporary transfer of an animal to a college 
2.9 	of veterinary medicine or veterinary technology school accredited by the American 
2.10 	Veterinary Medicine Association for the purpose of sterilization or needed veterinary care.

2.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 347.54, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.12 		Subd. 2.Reclaimed. A dangerous dog seized under subdivision 1 may be reclaimed 
2.13 	by the owner of the dog upon payment of impounding and boarding fees, and presenting 
2.14 	proof to the appropriate animal control authority that the requirements of sections 347.51
2.15 	and 347.52 will be met. A dog not reclaimed under this subdivision within seven days 
2.16 	may be disposed of as provided under section 35.71, subdivision 3 in a manner permitted 
2.17 	by law, and the owner is liable to the animal control authority for costs incurred in 
2.18 	confining and disposing of the dog. 

2.19 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 347.54, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.20 		Subd. 3.Subsequent offenses; seizure. If a person has been convicted of a 
2.21 	misdemeanor for violating a provision of section 347.51, 347.515, or 347.52, and the 
2.22 	person is charged with a subsequent violation relating to the same dog, the dog must be 
2.23 	seized by the animal control authority having jurisdiction. If the owner is convicted of the 
2.24 	crime for which the dog was seized, the court shall order that the dog be destroyed in a 
2.25 	proper and humane manner and the owner pay the cost of confining and destroying the 
2.26 	animal. If the owner is not convicted and the dog is not reclaimed by the owner within 
2.27 	seven days after the owner has been notified that the dog may be reclaimed, the dog may be 
2.28 	disposed of as provided under section 35.71, subdivision 3 in a manner permitted by law.

2.29 	Sec. 4.  REPEALER.
 2.30 	Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 35.71, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, are 
2.31 	repealed.