Dogs in Michigan, United States: rules, tax and travel
Dogs 4 months and older are licensed with the county, township or city and must have a current rabies vaccine. Owners are strictly liable for bites.
Counties and local governments set the licence fee and other dog rules.
The national rules for United States apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Dogs 4 months or older must be licensed through the county treasurer or the township or city treasurer; a current rabies certificate is needed and the fee is set in the county budget, lower for spayed or neutered dogs (MCL 287.266).[1]
Leash and muzzle
Owners may not let a dog stray unless it is held properly on a leash. Working dogs (such as guide, guard, farm and hunting dogs) are exempt while with their owner or agent and actively doing the work they are trained for (MCL 287.262).[2]
Other rules
Rabies: owners must keep the dog currently vaccinated by an accredited vet with a USDA licensed vaccine (MCL 287.266).[1]
Bite liability: strict. An unprovoked bite in public or where the victim is lawfully present makes the owner liable, regardless of former viciousness or knowledge (MCL 287.351).[3]
Breed rules: no state preemption of local breed laws found.[4]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-287-266 (official)
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-287-262 (secondary source)
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-287-351 (official)
- animallaw.info/article/overview-states-prohibit-bsl (secondary source)