WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – While there are thousands of dog owners in Woodbury, not all of them are familiar with Chapter 5 of the City Code governing domestic animals. For the sake of our canine citizens, their owners, and their neighbors we present this overview to ownership. 

Pet owner: The owner is anyone over the age of 18 who harbors or keeps a domesticated animal. If the pet “belongs” to a child, parents are considered the owners. Up to three pets are permitted per Woodbury property (no limit on aquarium fish). The presence of four or more animals in a household requires a kennel license.

Licensing: Speaking of licenses, dogs in Woodbury older than six months must be licensed. New residents must license their dogs within 60 days. Licenses can be obtained by mail or in person at City Hall. They are good for two years. Proof of rabies vaccination is required. Fees for spayed or neutered animals are reduced if confirmation of the procedure is provided. Once licensed, dogs receive a metal tag as well as a parking pass permitting entry to Andy’s Dog Park. Non-residents also are required to license their dogs to use the park. The city website states that licenses help in finding missing animals and “supports the safety and health of the city.” The city clerk reports that 2,205 dogs are licensed in Woodbury.

Inoculation: Dogs in the city must be inoculated for rabies, and re-inoculation is required every three years. Animal Control staffed by community service officers in the police department has responsibility for investigating concerns about rabies and animal bites. If a dog bites a person, the owner must keep the pet away from people and other animals for 14 days. If the dog is not inoculated for rabies, the officers will impound the animal at the Humane Society or a local veterinarian for two weeks at the owner’s expense. If the owner cannot be found within two hours, or does not comply with quarantine, the police are required to investigate and confine the dog. Any infected animal or one bitten by an infected animal will be put down to limit spread of this fatal disease.

Control: Dogs are not permitted to run loose in Woodbury except on their owners’ property. Abandoning an animal within city limits is also prohibited. 

Nuisances: Nuisances defined below can be referred to Animal Control for investigation and possible issuance of a citation. 

• Property damage by an animal 
• Fecal matter off the owner’s property that is not promptly removed 
• Dogs chasing people, bicycles, or cars in a threatening manner 
• Animals kept in an unsanitary manner with odors impacting others 
• Dogs that kill or attack a pet while off the owner’s property 
• Dogs making excessive noise (excludes teasing or trespassing)
  • Daytime for 10-minute intervals of a minute or less or over 5 minutes with complaints from 2 neighbors 
  • Nighttime occurs 5 or more times in a minute