Reporting Animal Issues

A Brief Summary of East Bethel's Dog Ordinances

Any dog that is off the premise of the owner and not under restraint is considered AT LARGE. If you have a dog that you let run, and the dog leaves your property, you are in violation of city ordinance.

No dog shall be allowed by its owner to run at large. The police or agent of the city will pick up and impound any dog found in violation of this section. If you see a dog running at large and can't contain the dog, please contact the Anoka County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 763-427-1212.

If you contact the Anoka County Sheriff's Office to dispatch a deputy to the area of a reported dog running at large, the deputy will be instructed to issue a citation to the dog owner, once the dog has been restrained.

Whenever a dog is taken off the property of the owner, the handler of the dog must pick up the dog excrement, unless the handler of the dog has the express approval of the property owner to leave the excrement. The police or agent of the city shall pick up and impound any dog found in violation of this ordinance.

It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, have in possession, or harbor any animal which frequently and habitually howls, yelps, barks, or otherwise causes serious annoyance or disturbance to persons or to the neighborhood as indicated in the city ordinance.

For further information, please read the East Bethel City Code – Chapter 10, Animals.

Animal Control Officer

Animal Humane Society serves as the City of East Bethel's Animal Control Officer. They can answer questions and help you with issues such as stray dogs, stray cats, spay and neuter programs, vaccinations, licenses, pet adoption, bite reports, lost pets, and to report neglected or abused animals.

Hours of operation and impound fees are listed on the Animal Humane Society website. Animal Humane Society can be reached at 952-435-7738.

Found Dogs

If you have a dog at large that is contained, please contact Anoka County Dispatch and a deputy will come to pick up the dog.

Lost Dogs

Posting of lost dogs will be on the Animal Humane Society website. Other contacts for lost dogs are:

  • Anoka County Sheriff's Office,763-427-1212
  • City of East Bethel, 763-367-7840
  • Anoka County Humane Society, 763-862-4030

Impounded Dogs

Prior to the release of any impounded dog, the Animal Control Officer will require that the owner provide a valid city animal license, owner's driver's license and/or a state issued identification card, and a copy of the current rabies vaccination certificate for the dog. This information and payment of fees is required for the release of the animal. All payments are an arrangement between the Animal Control Officer and the animal owner.