[Code 1975, § 6-19; Code 1992, § 5-4]
The City Manager shall appoint an Animal Control Officer to serve as a special police officer, with full power to enforce this chapter, except as otherwise provided.
[Code 1975, § 6-1; Code 1992, § 5-1]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
KEEPING and HARBORING
Allowing animals to habitually remain or be lodged or fed upon a person's premises.
[Code 1975, § 6-2; Code 1992, § 5-2; 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 1365]
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or harboring any animal to keep such animal within 200 feet of any dwelling, except his or her own dwelling, or to suffer or permit any animal owned by him or her or in his or her possession or control to run at large in any street or public place. This section shall not apply to such animals as are commonly kept or housed as household pet, or an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) located within a CBD (Central Business District) Zone, is limited to one alligator per property, housed only in the portion of the building used for commercial purposes, confined in an enclosed habitat that prevents direct interaction with the public and is in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
[Code 1975, § 6-3; Code 1992, § 5-3]
Every person lawfully keeping or housing any animal shall care for and maintain the structure used for the keeping or harboring thereof and shall manage and control such animal so as to prevent:
(1) 
Any malodorous or offensive condition to exist.
(2) 
Any frequent or long-continued noises which may disturb the comfort or repose of any person.
(3) 
Any nuisance to arise therefrom.
[Code 1975, § 6-4; Code 1992, § 5-5]
(a) 
It shall be the duty of any police officer to investigate complaints made under § 8-4 and to determine whether or not such complaints are founded upon fact and whether or not a violation of such section exists. The investigating officer or any person may make complaint to a Judge of the District Court that any one of the following conditions exists:
(1) 
Any person has failed to comply with § 8-4 in that he or she has allowed a malodorous or offensive condition to exist with respect to the structure in which he or she keeps or harbors any animal.
(2) 
Any person has failed to comply with § 8-4 in that he or she is keeping an animal which disturbs the comfort or repose of any person by frequent or long-continued noises.
(3) 
Any person has failed to comply with § 8-4 in that he or she is keeping or harboring animals so as to create a nuisance.
(b) 
Upon receipt of a complaint under this section, the Judge may issue a summons, returnable in not less than two days nor more than six days; provided, however, service shall be made upon the respondent not later than two days before the return day thereof. The summons shall direct the person keeping or harboring such animal to show cause why an order should not be entered abating the nuisance. If upon such hearing it shall be determined by the District Court that a nuisance, in fact, exists, the Court shall make an order for the abatement of such nuisance, and it shall be unlawful for any person to violate such order.
(c) 
Officers, employees and other individuals employed by and in the service of the City who are authorized by state law and this Code to enforce the sections of this Code, including but not limited to the Zoning and Code Enforcement Officers, Building Inspectors, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, Fire Technician Specialist and their assistants, are hereby specifically authorized, in accordance with state law, including MCL 764.9c, to issue and serve upon a person an appearance ticket. This authorization is contingent upon the authorizing person having reasonable cause to believe that the person has committed a violation of this Code or state law. This authorization is not granted where the issuance of such an appearance ticket is expressly prohibited by this Code or applicable state law.
[Code 1975, § 6-5; Code 1992, § 5-6]
(a) 
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ADEQUATE CARE
The provision of sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise, and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal in a state of good health.
ANIMAL
One or more vertebrates, other than a human being.
ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER
A facility to impound and care for animals found in streets or otherwise at large contrary to any ordinance of the City or state law.
ANIMAL PROTECTION SHELTER
A facility operated by a person, Humane Society, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or any other nonprofit organization for the care of homeless animals.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN
A person licensed to practice veterinary medicine under Article 15 of the Public Health Code, Public Act No. 368 of 1978 (MCL 333.16101 through 333.18838).
LIVESTOCK
That term as defined in the Animal Industry Act of 1987, Public Act No. 466 of 1988 (MCL 287.701 through 287.747).
NEGLECT
To fail to sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal's health is jeopardized.
SANITARY CONDITIONS
Space free from health hazards, including excessive animal waste, overcrowding of animals, or other conditions that endanger the animal's health. This definition does not include a condition resulting from a customary and reasonable practice pursuant to farming or animal husbandry.
SHELTER
Adequate protection from the elements and weather conditions suitable for the age, species, and physical condition of the animal so as to maintain the animal in a state of good health. Shelter, for livestock, includes structures or natural features such as trees or topography. Shelter for a dog shall include one or more of the following:
(1) 
The residence of the dog's owner or other individual.
(2) 
A doghouse that is an enclosed structure with a roof and of appropriate dimensions for the breed and size of the dog. The doghouse shall have dry bedding when the outdoor temperature is or is predicted to drop below freezing.
(3) 
A structure, including but not limited to a garage, barn, or shed, that is sufficiently insulated and ventilated to protect the dog from exposure to extreme temperatures or, if not sufficiently insulated and ventilated, contains a doghouse as provided under Subsection (2) of this definition that is accessible to the dog.
STATE OF GOOD HEALTH
Freedom from disease and illness, and in a condition of proper body weight and temperature for the age and species of the animal, unless the animal is undergoing appropriate treatment.
TETHERING
The restraint and confinement of a dog by use of a chain, rope, or similar device.
WATER
Potable water that is suitable for the age and species of animal, made regularly available unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
(b) 
An owner, possessor, or person having the charge or custody of an animal shall not do any of the following:
(1) 
Fail to provide an animal with adequate care.
(2) 
Cruelly drive, work, or beat an animal or cause an animal to be cruelly driven, worked, or beaten.
(3) 
Carry or cause to be carried in or upon a vehicle or otherwise any live animal having the feet or legs tied together, other than an animal being transported for medical care, or a horse whose feet are hobbled to protect the horse during transport or in any other cruel and inhumane manner.
(4) 
Carry or cause to be carried a live animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise without providing a secure space, rack, car, crate, or cage, in which livestock may stand, and in which all other animals may stand, turn around, and lie down during transportation, or while awaiting slaughter. As used in this subsection, for purposes of transportation of sled dogs, the term "stand" means sufficient vertical distance to allow the animal to stand without its shoulders touching the top of the crate or transportation vehicle.
(5) 
Abandon an animal or cause an animal to be abandoned, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care, unless premises are temporarily vacated for the protection of human life during a disaster. An animal that is lost by an owner or custodian while traveling, walking, hiking or hunting shall not be regarded as abandoned under this section when the owner or custodian has made a reasonable effort to locate the animal.
(6) 
Willfully or negligently allow any animal, including one that is aged, diseased, maimed, hopelessly sick, disabled, or nonambulatory, to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain.
(7) 
Tether a dog unless the tether is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and is attached to a harness or nonchoke collar designed for tethering.
(c) 
This section does not prohibit the lawful killing or other use of an animal, including but not limited to the following:
(1) 
Fishing.
(2) 
Hunting, trapping, or wildlife control regulated pursuant to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act No. 451 of 1994 (MCL 324.101 through 324.90106).
(3) 
Horseracing.
(4) 
The operation of a zoological park or aquarium.
(5) 
Pest or rodent control.
(6) 
Farming or a generally accepted animal husbandry or farming practice involving livestock.
(7) 
Activities authorized pursuant to rules promulgated under Section 9 of the Executive Organization Act of 1965, Public Act No. 380 of 1965 (MCL 16.109).
(8) 
Scientific research pursuant to Public Act No. 224 of 1969 (MCL 287.381 through 287.395).
(9) 
Scientific research pursuant to Sections 2226, 2671, 2676, and 7333 of the Public Health Code, Public Act No. 368 of 1978 (MCL 333.2226, 333.2671, 333.2676, 333.7333).
[Code 1975, § 6-25; Code 1992, § 5-41]
(a) 
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
UNCONFINED
A vicious dog or other animal is unconfined if such vicious dog or other animal is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure upon the premises of the person described in Subsection (b) of this section. Such pen or structure must have secure sides and a secure top. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded in the ground no less than one foot.
VICIOUS DOG OR OTHER ANIMAL
(1) 
Any dog or other animal with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals; or
(2) 
Any dog or other animal which attacks a human being or another domestic animal one or more times without provocation.
A dangerous dog or other animal does not include any of the following: (i) an animal that bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the animal's owner; (ii) an animal that bites or attacks a person who provokes or torments the animal; (iii) an animal that is responding in a manner that an ordinary and reasonable person would conclude was designed to protect a person if that person is engaged in a lawful activity or is the subject of an assault.
(b) 
No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal shall suffer or permit such dog or other animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person.
(c) 
No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal shall suffer or permit such dog or other animal to go beyond the premises of such person, unless such dog or other animal is securely leashed and muzzled or otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.
(d) 
Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, if a violation of this section occurs, the Animal Control Officer or a police officer may issue an appearance ticket, citation or summons to the person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal and suffering or permitting such dog or other animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person. The penalty shall be punishment as prescribed in § 1-16. Each act of violation and every day upon which such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.
[Code 1975, § 6-6; Code 1992, § 5-7]
No person shall throw or deposit any poisonous substance on any exposed public or private place where it endangers or is likely to endanger any animal.
[Code 1975, § 6-7; Code 1992, § 5-8]
No person, except a police officer or the Animal Control Officer acting in his or her official capacity, shall molest, injure, kill or capture any wild bird or molest or disturb any wild bird's nest or the contents thereof.