Michigan's animal cruelty law universally applies to hoarding situations involving inadequate care. Penalties escalate with the number of animals, and the state's anti-cruelty framework applies to all municipalities.
MCL 750.50 makes it a crime to fail to provide adequate care - including food, water, shelter, and sanitary conditions - to any animal. Penalties scale with animal count: misdemeanor for 1-3 animals, up to felony charges for 25 or more or for repeat offenses. MCL 750.50b addresses killing or torturing animals. Courts may order forfeiture, prohibit future ownership, and require psychological evaluation. The statute applies statewide and provides a baseline that local ordinances may supplement but not weaken.
Misdemeanor to 7-year felony under MCL 750.50 depending on animal count; mandatory forfeiture and ownership bans.
See how Zeeland's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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