Cass County, ND Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance trigger
- Unsanitary/unhealthful animal keeping
- Inspection
- Search warrant if refused entry
- First step
- Written order to abate
- Maximum fine
- $1,000
Summary
Cass County's Animal Control Ordinance #1998-3 makes it a public nuisance to keep any animal in an unsanitary or unhealthful manner, letting officers inspect the property and order the owner to clean up or face a citation.
It is hereby declared a public nuisance, for any owner to keep any animal in a manner that is unsanitary or unhealthful. Where the law enforcement officer finds probable cause to believe that a situation is occurring where an owner is keeping any animal in an unsanitary or unhealthful manner, it may do any or all of the following;
1. Secure a search warrant to inspect premises to determine if unsanitary or unhealthful situation exists.
2. Order the owner in writing to immediately abate any unsanitary or unhealthful situation by;
a. Removing any and all diseased or dead animals for treatment or disposal, as appropriate.
b. Cleaning up and removing any and all urine, feces or other material of an unsanitary nature. SUBJECT: ORDINANCE #1998-3 (ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE) 38.08
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c. Taking any and all additional steps necessary to ensure the complete abatement of the unsanitary and unhealthful situation.
Full Breakdown
Under Ordinance #1998-3, a law enforcement officer with probable cause to believe an owner is keeping animals unsanitarily can seek a search warrant to inspect the property, then issue a written order requiring the owner to remove diseased or dead animals, clean up urine, feces or other waste, and take further steps to abate the condition. If the owner doesn't comply, the officer may issue a citation, file a nuisance complaint, or have the County Attorney seek an injunction. As with other public-nuisance violations under this ordinance, fines run up to $1,000, and each 24-hour period the condition persists is a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate after written notice brings a citation, nuisance complaint, or County Attorney injunction. Fines up to $1,000; each 24-hour period the unsanitary condition continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cass County cite me for keeping animals in filthy conditions?
What if I ignore the county's cleanup order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cass County
Compare Cass County to another location·View the North Dakota animal ordinances overview
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