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Otter Tail County holds hearing on updates to dog-bite ordinance; no public comment
Summary
County staff told the board proposed revisions to a dog-bite and dangerous-dog ordinance (adopted in 2018) would clarify that the sheriff's office investigates bites, narrow rabies language, and apply countywide except where cities/townships have their own rules; no one spoke at the hearing and no written comments were received by the deadline.
Otter Tail County opened a public hearing at 9 a.m. on proposed revisions to its dog-bite and dangerous-dog ordinance, county staff said. The ordinance, originally adopted by the County Board in June 2018, was reviewed and updated to better reflect current enforcement practices.
Nicole, a county staff member presenting the proposal, told commissioners the review was done in collaboration with Assistant Public Health Director Christy Goose, Lieutenant Bob Huckaby of the sheriff's office, and Anne Gibbs of public health. She said the proposed edits remove references to Otter Tail County Public Health so that bite and dangerous-dog complaints and reports are investigated by the sheriff's office.
The revisions also narrow language tied to rabies so the ordinance focuses on regulating "potentially dangerous" domestic animals rather than concentrating solely on rabies exposure, Nicole said. She said the draft clarifies that the county ordinance applies to all areas of the county except cities and townships that have their own ordinances.
On public outreach, Nicole said the county's website has been updated with guidance for residents. "They should report it to the sheriff's office, but at the same time, they should also receive treatment as soon as possible from their local provider," she said. She added that residents may contact the Minnesota Department of Health with questions, but that immediate medical care should come from local providers.
The county posted notice of the hearing in the Fergus Falls Journal in accordance with Minnesota Statute 375.51, Nicole said, and administration had not received any written correspondence as of the stated deadline (by 4:30 p.m. the prior Friday). The chair opened the public hearing at 9:00 and repeatedly invited in-person and online comment; after three solicitations he said there were no attendees present or online who wished to speak.
The chair closed the public hearing with no oral or written public comments recorded. No vote or final action on the proposed ordinance changes was taken at the hearing; further consideration or next steps were not specified on the record.
