Pet Ownership Guide | City of Detroit (2024)

FAQs

How many dogs are you allowed to have in Detroit, Michigan? ›

Violators may be issued a citation for violations each day that the violation continues Pet Restrictions 6-2-1d: No person shall own, harbor, keep, or shel- ter more than four animals of the same species over the age of four months in a single residence.

IF YOU SEE A STRAY DOG OR A DOG IN DANGER, PLEASE CALL DETROIT ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL AT (313) 224-6356.

There is no statewide law in Michigan that puts a limit on the number of dogs a household can have. That cannot be said for other states in the nation though.

(c) “Owner” when applied to the proprietorship of a dog means every person having a right of property in the dog, and every person who keeps or harbors the dog or has it in his care, and every person who permits the dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.

There is no state-wide law limiting the number of dogs you can own, but every dog in Michigan must be licensed.

When you find a stray dog, Michigan law requires you to report it to your community's law enforcement association or animal control officer within 48 hours. Keeping the stray dog without reporting it can be considered theft.

According to some estimates, there are as many as 50,000 stray dogs scattered throughout Detroit. 1 These stray dogs have accumulated after being abandoned or by escaping from their owners, and if they are not spayed or neutered, they can continue to breed and exacerbate the stray dog problem in the city.

Ans: Yes. Animal lovers can adopt the stray dogs. Stray dog gets shelter, food and in turn the number of stray dogs can be reduced substantially by public adopting stray dogs. Public can approach Animal Welfare Organisations/Assistant Director (Animal Husbandry) of the respective zones for adopting the stray dogs.

If a stray does get into your yard, call your local animal shelter or police department's animal control unit. Animal control officers and animal shelter employees are specially trained to deal with stray and/or aggressive animals. They can remove the stray from your yard without any injury to themselves or the strays.

You may not possess any dog which shows vicious habits and molests passersby when lawfully in a public area. You may not allow your dog to become a nuisance by loud and frequent barking, howling, or yelping.

What happens if your dog isn't licensed in Michigan? ›

Any person who violates or refuses to comply with the licensing provisions of the Dog Law of 1919 is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not less than $10.00 but not more than $100.00, or up to three months in jail, or both.

All citizens in the state of Michigan are required to license their dogs four months or older. A current rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed Michigan veterinarian is required in order to license dogs.

Explanation of Michigan's Leash Laws

In Michigan, the law requires that dogs be kept on a leash in public spaces. This means that when you take your dog outside your private property, such as for a walk in the park or on a city sidewalk, the dog must be on a leash.

Most of you would say, “Well, that is too bad, it's my dog and the microchip proves it.” Guess what? You would be WRONG! Microchips are not SOLE LEGAL proof of ownership and here is why… Often, when pets are microchipped, they are implanted at rescues, from breeders, from shelters, or at a veterinary office.

The City's Animal Control Ordinance requires the wearing of a license tag by all dogs four months of age or older and further provides that only two dogs may be licensed per residential household.

The city is known for its dog-friendly parks and businesses, making it a great place to raise a furry friend. Highlights of life in Detroit: Thriving cultural scene with museums, theaters, and music venues.

Licenses are not transferable between individuals or dogs. Owner identification and proof of rabies vaccine. $10/dog for neutered dogs and $15/dog for dogs that are not neutered.

In America, in fact, there are no federal restrictions on dog breeds. Of course, state by state, that does change. Michigan is no exception, as one dog breed has legal restrictions. Effectively, in Michigan, it is illegal to own a wolf-dog breed as a pet.