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District Court regarding disposition of the dog. If the owner is not convicted of the charges, the owner shall be
<br />notified of the right to reclaim the dog within seven (7) days consistent with other reclamation.
<br />Section 9. Enforcement, Records and Penalties.
<br />1. Enforcement. The provisions of this Ordinance shall be enforced by the Animal Control Officer and other such persons or
<br />agencies as may, from time to time, be appointed by the City Council.
<br />2. Records. The City shall maintain accurate records of all licenses, impoundments, quarantines, disposition of animals taken
<br />into custody, reports of all animal attacks or bites, and fees and fines related thereto and to make such records available as
<br />public documents within reasonable times.
<br />3. Penalties. Any owner, harborer, or other person, or the parents of any person under eighteen (18) years of age violating any
<br />provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished to the maximum
<br />extent allowed by law.
<br />4. Other Associated Costs. Any owner, harborer, or other person, or the parents of any person under eighteen (18) years of age
<br />violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with enforcement of this
<br />Ordinance including, but not limited to, impound fees, boarding, notification of owners, and disposal.
<br />Section 10. Exemptions to this Ordinance.
<br />1. Hospitals, clinics, and other premises operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempt from
<br />the provisions of this Ordinance except where such duties are expressly stated and where such facility meets the applicable
<br />zoning code.
<br />The licensing and vaccination requirements of this Ordinance shall not apply to any animal belonging to a non-resident of the
<br />City of Gem Lake and kept within the City for less than thirty (30) days, provided all such animals are fully and at all times
<br />confined within a building enclosure or vehicle or are deemed to be under complete restraint of the owner.
<br />Non-poisonous snakes or snakes not prohibited as wild and exotic by definition, birds kept indoors, hamsters, mice, rabbits,
<br />gerbils, white rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or lizards and similar small animals capable of being kept in cages continuously
<br />are exempt and do not require a permit.
<br />Section 11. Animal Owner Responsibilities.
<br />1. Animal Owner Responsibilities and Liability. This Ordinance shall not relieve or lessen the responsibility or liability of any
<br />person owning or harboring any animal to persons or real property or any other injury occasioned thereby.
<br />2. Abrogation and Greater Restriction. It is not intended by this Ordinance to appeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with
<br />any State or Federal law, or local ordinances, rules, regulations, or permits issued pursuant to law. However, where this
<br />Ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this Ordinance shall govern.
<br />3. Right of Entry. All law enforcement and animal control officers may enter upon private property where it appears that there
<br />is reasonable cause to believe that an animal is not being kept, confined, or restrained as herein required or where it appears
<br />that a violation of this Ordinance may be present and when accompanied by a warrant to enter property duly issued by a judge
<br />of the district court.
<br />4. Interference. No person shall interfere with, hinder, or molest any agent of the City while engaged in the performance of any
<br />duty related to this Ordinance or release any animal in the custody of the agent.
<br />Section 12. Review, Revocation and Appeal.
<br />License Application Review. The City shall review the license application. The City may deny an applicant's license
<br />application for any reason reasonably related to the regulation of animals within city limits, including but not limited to;
<br />protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Convictions for violations of City Ordinance No. 140 or any applicable
<br />state Statutes within the preceding three (3) years shall be considered evidence of a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of
<br />the public.
<br />Revocation. The City may revoke licenses previously issued upon the same grounds. If a license is denied or revoked, the
<br />City shall notify the applicant in writing, and provide information regarding the applicant's right to appeal under paragraph 2
<br />of this section.
<br />3. Appeal. An applicant may appeal the City's determination by filing written notice with the City Administrator within ten (10)
<br />days of the applicant's receipt of the City's notice. Failure to file a timely appeal results in a waiver of the appeal. If the
<br />applicant files a timely appeal, a hearing will be held before an impartial hearing officer as soon as practicable after the City's
<br />receipt of the appeal. The rules of evidence do not apply at the hearing and any reports and records of the Ramsey County
<br />Animal Control officer shall be considered without further foundation. The hearing officer will make written findings of fact.
<br />Ordinance No. 140 Domestic Animals Page 9 of 10
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