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Mounds View Planning Commission April 21, 1999 • Regular Meeting Page 7 The applicant was asked if they were indoor or outdoor dogs. Mr. MacRannolds stated they let the dogs outside to go to the bathroom and the Great Dane and German Shepard are puppies so they do like to run. Mr. MacRannolds explained that there is an area where the fence is by a hill but it could be rectified with a higher fence. He stated his opinion that some people assume Rottweilers are a bad dog because of the bad press coverage they get and people forget the good things about them. Commissioner Kaden asked how old the dogs are. Mr. MacRannolds stated the Rottweiler is seven years old and past her average life span, the Shih-Tzu is four years old and will live about 12 years, the Great Dane is 14 months old, and the German Shepard is a year and one-half to two years old. Mr. MacRannolds explained that his mother is at her lake property for about six months out of the year and usually takes two of the dogs with her, leaving only two at the residence. Ericson advised that staff forwarded this resolution to the City Attorney who commented that Minnesota State Statutes classify Rottweilers as a"dangerous animal." He explained that while this particular Rottweiler may be a gentle dog near the end of its life span, he reiterated that the Statute does classify it as a"dangerous animal." Commissioner Kaden asked what happens if the application is denied and if the applicant can reapply if the conditions improve. Ericson stated the Code requires a two-month period before making reapplication so if denied by the Council they would have to remove two of the dogs and can then reapply in several months. Kaden asked what happens if the request is denied and they do not remove two dogs. Ericson stated the Animal Control Officer would enforce the Code by forcefully removing two of the dogs. Commissioner Johnson asked if there is a Code pertaining to the height of a fence for dogs. Ericson stated there is not. Commissioner Hegland asked how long the applicant is given to comply. Ericson explained the violation was cited in December and an agreement reached that they would make application so the timeframe to comply is now. Ericson stated if the application is not approved by the Council, they will need to immediately comply since there is no grace period and they have already received a period of four months including a 60-day extension. A resident stated that the fence will gain nothing except to keep the dogs in on one side of the • yard but it will not keep the stench out. He stated the neighbors cannot enjoy their own back yard during the summer because of these dogs.