Minnesota
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Minnesota
Overall Rank: #30 (Middle Tier)
- +Felony provisions for cruelty, neglect, abandonment and fighting
- +Peace officers have a duty to seize cruelly treated animals
- -Standards for minimum acceptable care for animals (e.g. necessary food, water, shelter) are not well-defined
- -Statute prohibiting sexual assault of animals is poorly defined and is only a misdemeanor
- -Social services professionals are not required to report suspected animal cruelty
Animal Protection Laws of Minnesota
The Animal Protection Laws of Minnesota compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Minnesota with an effective date on or before September 1, 2022.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
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Active Cases
Challenging Holden Farms Cruelty and Garbage Feeding Via False Claims Lawsuit
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Holden Farms
Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal Swine Health Protection Act, Minnesota Anti-Garbage feeding law, and Minnesota Anti-Cruelty Law.
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
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Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
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Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws