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Albert Lea council amends animal-control ordinance to cap four animals in first reading
Summary
At first reading on May 26 the Albert Lea City Council amended a proposed animal-control ordinance to set a four-animal limit per household (any combination of cats and dogs) and advanced the ordinance with that change. Councilors debated enforcement practicality and animal-welfare partners’ roles.
The Albert Lea City Council on May 26 advanced a first reading of proposed changes to chapter 8 (animal control) after amending the ordinance to set a four-animal maximum per household.
City Manager Ian Riggs summarized the draft ordinance’s key changes: removal of fixed ownership limits in favor of nuisance-driven enforcement, an expanded definition that includes cats in running-at-large rules, authority to address excessive animal ownership when a nuisance or risk is created, and restrictions on uncoordinated feeding stations in favor of coordinated trap–neuter–return and rehoming efforts.
Councilor Herman proposed keeping limits and then amended that motion to allow four animals total of any combination of cats and dogs. Councilor Christiansen argued that cats and dogs behave differently and urged enforcement language and capacity be carefully considered, saying some households keep cats exclusively indoors and that enforcement should not arbitrarily criminalize responsible owners.
The amendment to set a four-animal limit passed on a council roll call (recorded votes in the meeting transcript). Mayor Rich Murray and multiple councilors said they supported retaining the ordinance’s nuisance focus while giving enforcement tools.
The ordinance returns for a second reading and final action at a later meeting consistent with statutory notice requirements.
