Scott County, MN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash
- Required off property
- Animal Control
- City by city
- License
- Required + rabies
- Dangerous Dogs
- Behavior-based (Sec. 347.50)
- Unincorporated
- County sheriff
Summary
Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Jordan each require dogs leashed or under control off the owner's property and run their own animal control. Rabies vaccination and city licensing are required; Minnesota's dangerous-dog law (Sec. 347.50 to 347.565) is behavior-based.
"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.
Full Breakdown
Animal control here is handled city by city. Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Jordan each contract for impound and enforcement, while the county sheriff handles calls in the unincorporated townships. Every city ordinance requires dogs to be leashed or under control off the owner's property, and dogs at large may be impounded. Dogs must be licensed locally and vaccinated against rabies. The dangerous- and potentially-dangerous-dog framework in Minnesota Statutes Sections 347.50 to 347.565 is behavior-based: a dog earns that designation by biting or attacking without provocation, not by its breed, and designation triggers confinement, warning signage, and registration duties.
Violations & Fines
A dog at large may be impounded, with impound and daily boarding fees plus a citation to reclaim it. A dog that bites without provocation can be declared dangerous, forcing secure confinement, muzzling, and registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog have to be on a leash?
How does Minnesota define a dangerous dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scott County
Compare Scott County to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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