Animal Control
Please contact Fairmont Police Department at 507-238-4481 when you observe:
- Lost or stray animals.
- Deceased, sick, and injured animals located within City limits, including County and State Highways.
- Snapping turtles, snakes, and other animals posing a danger to the public.
Captured stray animals will be brought to the Martin County Humane Society, 522 E Margaret St, Fairmont, 507-238-1885 for boarding at the cost of the owner.
Dog and Cat Licensing
Current licensing and identification tags increase the chances that your dog or cat will be returned to you if they become lost.
The City of Fairmont requires all dogs and cats age 6 months or older to be licensed annually:
- $15 per dog or cat license; $10 if spayed or neutered
- A current copy of vet records for rabies and distemper vaccination is required per application along with record of sterilization or not
Licenses applications may be obtained at Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza. Applications must be submitted in person with required documentation and fee.
Animal License Application can be found here.
Licenses expire on December 31 of the year issued.
Further information on license ordinance can be found here.
Leash Law
Dogs and cats are required to be either on the owner’s property or restrained by a leash at all times, except if a dog is supervised by its owner at a designated dog park. Any pets found running at large will be taken to Martin County Humane Society, 522 E Margaret St, Fairmont, 507-238-1885 for boarding at the cost of the owner.
Pet Waste
It is unlawful for any owner or other person in charge of a dog or cat, to be in a park, upon other public property or private property not owned by said person, and to allow the dog or cat to defecate and then to fail to clean up the defecation immediately. Any person found in violation may be issued a misdemeanor citation.
Pet waste left on the ground is more than smelly and unsightly. It pollutes our water and poses a health risk for pets and people. When not disposed of properly, pet waste washes into local storm drains and ponds, causing problems with water quality as it decomposes. Help keep Fairmont’s water clean by picking up your pet’s waste and putting it in the garbage.
Pet Nuisances
Animal owners have a responsibility to ensure their pets do not create a nuisance for the rest of the community and are required to comply with ordinances regulating animals in the City. The following is a summary of the most common animal control regulations:
- The owner or person in control of an animal is responsible for cleaning up any feces and disposing of it in a sanitary manner whether on their own property, on the property of others, or on public property. Any person found in violation may be issued a misdemeanor citation.
- Animals may not run at large.
- It shall constitute a nuisance and be unlawful if any dog barks, whines, howls, bays, cries or makes other noise excessively for a period of more than five (5) minutes continuously or intermittent barking that continues for more than an hour and is plainly audible from a distance of one hundred (100) feet or more from the premises where the dog is kept. It shall not be a violation of this section if the dog was barking, crying or making other noise due to harassment or injury to the dog or a trespass upon the premises where the dog is located.
- It is unlawful for your pets to cause damage to others’ lawns, gardens, or other property, whether or not the animal owner has knowledge of the damage.
- No more than three dogs and no more than three cats are allowed per household.
- Whenever an animal aggressively approaches or bites any human being or domestic animal, the animal shall immediately be quarantined for at least ten days per City Code.
- Dogs shall not be located in public areas unless they are leashed.
The complete Animal/Pet ordinance can be located here.
Backyard Chickens
Residence are allowed to keep no more than a total of five (5) chickens, fowl or poultry per property. Roosters are not allowed to be kept in a residential zone.
Chicken coop, run, or other structures where chicken, fowl, or poultry are kept shall be at least thirty-five (35) feet from neighboring properties residential structures.
Resolving an Issue
If you are experiencing problems with a neighborhood animal, the Fairmont Police Department recommends the following:
- If comfortable, approach the animal’s owner with your concerns. The owner may not be aware of the problem and may appreciate you showing a sincere interest in solving the problem together.
- If you are not comfortable approaching the animal’s owner, call the Fairmont Police Department, 507-238-4481. The Department’s Community Service Officer may be able to help by informing the owner of the concerns, providing a copy of the Animal Control Ordinance, and informing them if they are in violation of the ordinance which need to be corrected or be cited.
- Call 911 or non-emergency at 507-238-4481 to report animal welfare concerns and other serious animal related issues.
Dog Park
The Fairmont dog park is a 1.5 acre site where pet owners can allow their dogs to exercise in a controlled off-leash environment. The site amenities include 2 enclosed all-natural turf play areas, water, trail access, paved parking, shade structures and seating. The site is open daily during daylight hours.
1450 S. Prairie Avenue
Fairmont, MN 56031
Free
Additional information on the Dog Park can be found here.
