Dearborn Heights, MI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 6-162, 6-163, 6-164
- Minimum owner age
- 18 years old
- First-offense fine
- $500.00
- Third-offense fine
- $1,500.00
- Required proof
- Microchip plus 2 color photos
Summary
In the City of Dearborn Heights, owners of pit bull dogs, defined by breed under City Code Sec. 6-162, must be at least 18, microchip and license the dog as a pit bull, and provide photographs at each licensing renewal. Violations carry civil fines starting at $500.
Pit bull dog shall mean any and all of the following dogs; (1)The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs;(2)The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs;(3)The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs;(4)Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and/or American Pit Bull Terrier. ... the civil fine for each violation of any provision of this article shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a first offense; one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for a second offense within a twelve-month period; and one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for a third or subsequent offense within a twelve-month period. ... (a)The owner of a pit bull dog must:(1)Be eighteen (18) years of age or older;(2)Have any such dog injected with an identifying microchip by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian;(3)Have any such dog registered and licensed as a pit bull dog with the city; and(4)Provide the city clerk with two (2) color photographs of the dog clearly showing the color and approximate size of the dog each time the dog's license is obtained or renewed.
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 6-162 defines a pit bull dog to include the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Pit Bull Terrier breeds, as well as dogs with the predominant appearance and characteristics of those breeds. Sec. 6-164(a) then sets basic owner obligations: the owner must be 18 or older, must have the dog injected with an identifying microchip by or under a licensed veterinarian's supervision, must register and license the dog specifically as a pit bull dog with the city, and must give the city clerk two color photographs showing the dog's color and approximate size each time the license is obtained or renewed.
Article VIII, which contains these sections, applies more broadly to any dog or animal found to be dangerous or vicious, layering separate confinement, leash, muzzle, and liability-insurance duties onto owners of animals with that judicial finding under Secs. 6-163 through 6-166, and the article expressly states that where it conflicts with other chapter provisions, its more restrictive standards prevail. The regulatory scheme was enacted by Ord. No. H-02-24 in July 2003 and expanded by Ord. No. H-09-09 in October 2009 and Ord. No. H-12-10 in September 2012.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 6-163(a) sets civil fines for any violation of the pit bull and dangerous-or-vicious-animal article at $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense within 12 months, and $1,500 for a third or subsequent offense within 12 months, plus liability for costs of prosecution, impound fees, and animal destruction fees; courts may also grant equitable relief, including ordering an animal removed from the city or destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds count as pit bulls under Dearborn Heights law?
What must a pit bull owner do to comply?
What is the fine for violating the pit bull ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn Heights
How Dearborn Heights compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Dearborn Heights to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle breed restrictions.