A Dog The County Calls Dangerous
Minn. Stat. 347.51 — registration of a dangerous dog, a bond or insurance of at least $300,000, and a review after six months
Registration is required. No person may own a dangerous dog in Minnesota unless it is registered.
- A proper enclosure, and a clearly visible warning sign on the premises, including a symbol to inform children.
- A surety bond or liability insurance of at least $300,000 for injuries the dog inflicts.
- Payment of an annual fee of not more than $500 for the certificate, in addition to regular licensing fees.
- Microchip identification implanted in the dog.
Those are what the owner shows the animal control authority to receive the certificate of registration.
Asking for a review. Beginning six months after a dog is declared dangerous, the owner may ask annually that the animal control authority review the designation, with evidence that the dog's behavior has changed because of age, neutering, environment, obedience training that modifies aggressive behavior, or other factors. If the authority finds sufficient evidence, it may rescind the designation.
Cities and counties often add their own dangerous dog rules on top of these, and those are not on this page. What a particular designation means for a particular dog is a question for a licensed Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 347.51 — Dangerous dogs; registration
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.