2006 Minnesota Statutes

347.50 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Terms. For the purpose of sections 347.50 to 347.56, the terms defined in
this section have the meanings given them.
    Subd. 2. Dangerous dog. "Dangerous dog" means any dog that has:
(1) without provocation, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human being on public or
private property;
(2) killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property; or
(3) 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.
    Subd. 3. Potentially dangerous dog. "Potentially dangerous dog" means any dog that:
(1) when unprovoked, inflicts bites on a human or domestic animal on public or private
property;
(2) when unprovoked, chases or approaches a person, including a person on a bicycle, upon
the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private property, other than the dog owner's property,
in an apparent attitude of attack; or
(3) has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury or
otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
    Subd. 4. Proper enclosure. "Proper enclosure" means securely confined indoors or in a
securely enclosed and locked pen or structure suitable to prevent the animal from escaping and
providing protection from the elements for the dog. A proper enclosure does not include a porch,
patio, or any part of a house, garage, or other structure that would allow the dog to exit of its own
volition, or any house or structure in which windows are open or in which door or window
screens are the only obstacles that prevent the dog from exiting.
    Subd. 5. Owner. "Owner" means any person, firm, corporation, organization, or department
possessing, harboring, keeping, having an interest in, or having care, custody, or control of a dog.
    Subd. 6. Substantial bodily harm. "Substantial bodily harm" has the meaning given it
under section 609.02, subdivision 7a.
    Subd. 6a. Great bodily harm. "Great bodily harm" has the meaning given it under section
609.02, subdivision 8.
    Subd. 7. Animal control authority. "Animal control authority" means an agency of the
state, county, municipality, or other governmental subdivision of the state which is responsible for
animal control operations in its jurisdiction.
History: 1988 c 711 s 1; 1989 c 37 s 3-5; 1994 c 550 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 8 art 8 s 14,15