What The Label 'Dangerous' Means For Owners And Dogs In Mpls.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It may be one of the most dreaded moments for any dog owner; your dog is attacked or your dog is the attacker.

Every year, animal control officers around the state investigate hundreds of dog bites on humans and other animals. In some cases, the animal will be labeled dangerous and it can be a life changing process for both the dog and its owner in the name of public safety.

In the eyes of Siri Hustad, Isabele is a loyal companion

"She's a member of our family," Hustad, Isabele's owner, said.

But to Minneapolis animal control officers, the 2-year-old Staffordshire terrier is seen as a risk after attacking and injuring a neighbor's dog.

Labeled dangerous by Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, Isabele and her owners now follow a different set of rules.

"There's a tremendous amount of responsibility on top of the tremendous amount of paperwork," Hustad said.

Some of the state and city guidelines the Hustads have to follow include secure fencing around the home, warning signs outside the home and keeping Isabele restrained anytime she's outside. She's required to wear both a muzzle and a three foot leash.

There are also fees and a $300,000 liability insurance policy that dangerous dog owners must carry.

"You have to really look at your dog in a different way," Hustad said.

Isabele is one of 36 dogs deemed dangerous in Minneapolis. The city recently created an interactive map that allows the public to see if a dangerous dog is their neighborhood.

Each dog is listed along with their owner, address and the offense.

"You can click on and see if there are any dangerous dogs potentially in an area that you're going to be and be mindful of these areas," MACC Animal Control Officer Jacob Young said.

Searching online takes seconds, but determining if an animal is a threat to public safety is a time consuming process carried out by animal control officers like Young.

"What we're trying to do with that investigation is determine was that bite provoked or the incident provoked," Young said.

In general, if the attack is unprovoked and kills or causes a substantial injury, the animal can be deemed dangerous.

But if the attack injury isn't severe, an animal can be labeled potentially dangerous.

"He got into a fight with a neighbor's dog," Blake Hampton, of Minneapolis, said. "Long story short, he got declared a potentially dangerous dog."

Billy Mills has been a member of Hampton's family for four years. His outdoor activity never used to require a muzzle or leash until last spring.

Shortly after animal control labeled him potentially dangerous, the husky was upgraded to dangerous; not for a second attack but a compliance check violation.

Minneapolis has some of the strictest rules for potentially dangerous dogs in the metro.  The requirements are similar to the dangerous dog rules, except for the insurance policy.

"Dangerous on a technical bureaucratic violation in my eyes," Hampton said.

"Violations of the potential dog law show animal care and control authority a lack of adherence to the state statue," Young said.

Hampton said he didn't know the dog's outdoor activity needed constant supervision on his own property.

"I thought it was OK to have him out here," Hampton said.

Billy Mills and Hampton now abide by the dangerous dog rules which Hampton said is a challenge for a breed that needs to run.

He said his only option is a hearing. If it's determined that Billy Mills meets certain requirements, it could result in the dog's removal from the dangerous list.

"I've got to be able to leave him out here. He's a husky for crying out loud," Hampton said.

Across town, Isabele is two months away from her hearing. The Hustads have put weeks of time and energy into extra training.

"I'm not ready to give up on her," Hustad said. "She's our property, she's our responsibility."

Even if Isabele can overcome her past, the dangerous dog label will never be far from her owner's mind.

"It's like owning a gun, you have to respect the power," Hustad said.

When a dog attacks, the animal is seized and quarantined for several days.

If a dangerous dog is involved in another incident, animal control has the right to seize the dog.  The animal may be put down if necessary.

To learn more about the potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs go to visit the Minnesota Legislature online, or click here.