Apple Valley, MN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 91.20 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances does not name a banned breed. It adopts by reference the state dangerous dog regulations, Minnesota Statutes §§ 347.50 through 347.565 as amended through Laws 2008, including their penalty provisions, and provides that the city section controls in a conflict. The definitions in Chapter 91 turn on behavior. A dangerous dog, without provocation, inflicted substantial bodily harm on a human, killed a domestic animal off the owner's property, or after being found potentially dangerous and after notice, aggressively bit, attacked or endangered humans or domestic animals. A potentially dangerous dog, when unprovoked, bites a human or domestic animal, chases or approaches a person in an apparent attitude of attack, or has a known propensity to attack unprovoked. Separately, § 91.06(D) bans crossbreeds between dogs and wolves or coyotes as prohibited animals.

A police officer, community service officer or animal control officer can declare a dog potentially dangerous or dangerous on probable cause, with written notice to the owner and a form to request an appeal. The owner has 14 business days to serve a written appeal on the City Clerk with the non-refundable hearing fee. A dangerous dog appeal is heard within 14 days, and the hearing officer decides within ten days after the hearing. For a potentially dangerous dog, the hearing is as soon as practical and the decision comes within 30 days. If a dangerous designation is upheld, the owner pays the city's actual hearing expenses, not to exceed $1,000. From 180 days after the declaration, the owner can ask annually for review.

Once a declaration stands, § 91.20(D) requires a proper enclosure, muzzle and a leash of not more than six feet outside it, liability insurance of at least $300,000, written notice to the Police Department within 14 days of any death, sale or transfer, and sterilization of a dangerous dog within 30 days. Owners of dogs declared in another jurisdiction must notify the Police Department within 14 days of moving in. The hearing officer can order destruction if the owner fails to comply.