Animal Regulations

Animal Control

Animal control is provided by South Lake Minnetonka Police Department. If you need to report an animal concern, contact the department at 952-258-5321 or 9-1-1. Please contact South Lake Minnetonka Police Department regarding concerns for off-leash dogs and aggressive dogs, or any domesticated animal in distress due to neglect or abuse.

Deer Management Program

In 2010, the Shorewood City Council adopted a revised deer management program. The deer populations is surveyed annually, and when above the stated numbers for the size of the community, the City contracts with highly-trained bow hunters to cull the size of the herd. If you are a property owner and would like to participate in the program, please email the Planning and Protective Inspections Department.

Domestic Animals

According to the city code (701.09), "No owner of any animal shall permit such animal to run or move at large at any time within the city." This includes city parks, sidewalks, and trails.

Please be considerate of others. Do not let your dogs and cats run free. All dogs should be on a leash at all times when on public property The city gets many complaints, particularly about loose dogs in Freeman Park. Your dog is friendly, but other dogs might not care for them and can put the dogs and the owners at risk. A dog park where your dog can run off-leash is located at nearby Lake Minnewashta Regional Park.

Urban Farm Animals

Keeping bees, rabbits, ducks, geese, or chickens requires an annual permit. 

Urban Wildlife

Please do not feed wildlife. Feeding deer is specifically prohibited by City Code Chapter 704. Hunting and trapping animals is regulated by Chapter 703 of City Code.