Saint Paul, MN Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Under Sec. 01, a 'dangerous animal' is one that, without provocation, has caused substantial bodily harm to a person; engaged in an attack indicating danger to personal safety; shown unusually aggressive behavior such as an attack on another animal causing serious injury or death; bitten one or more persons on two or more occasions; already been found potentially dangerous and gone on to aggressively bite, attack or endanger safety; or shows fresh fight wounds, scarring, or evidence, including training paraphernalia in the owner's possession, that it has been or will be used to fight another animal.

A 'potentially dangerous animal' is one that, unprovoked, has bitten a person or domestic animal, chased or approached someone in an apparent attitude of attack, or has a known history or tendency to attack while unprovoked. Breed is never mentioned in either definition. Under Sec. 11, the animal services manager designates a dog potentially dangerous after reviewing evidence, notifies the owner in writing, and may impose conditions such as an obedience class, a leash no longer than six feet with a muzzle, proof of rabies vaccination, and a declared-animal license.

Under Sec. 12, a full 'dangerous' designation follows the same notice-and-hearing process before the department of safety and inspections hearing officer, with a $50 fee to request a hearing and, if upheld, hearing costs up to $1,000 charged to the owner. An owner has 14 days to appeal either determination.