Jackson County, MI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

7, sorts any animal, regardless of breed, into escalating danger levels based on documented conduct. The ordinance states that 'an animal shall be classified as potentially dangerous or dangerous based upon specific behaviors exhibited by the animal,' with Levels 1 and 2 covering an animal at large that 'menace[s], chase[s], display[s] threatening or aggressive behavior, or otherwise threaten[s] or endanger[s] the safety' of a domestic animal (Level 1) or a person (Level 2). Levels 3 and 4 cover a confined or at-large animal that 'aggressively bites or causes physical injury less than serious injury' to a person or domestic animal.

Level 5, the top tier, applies if the animal 'causes the serious injury or death of any person,' kills or seriously injures a domestic animal while at large, has 'been trained to engage in exhibitions of fighting,' or repeats Level 3 or 4 conduct after being classified. An Animal Control Officer investigates and notifies the owner by certified mail of the classification and the resulting restrictions, which escalate by level: a physical barrier for Level 1, a secure enclosure for Level 2, added warning signs for Level 3, and a muzzle with leash or enclosure for Level 4.

Every animal classified as dangerous must be tattooed or microchipped at the owner's expense. For Level 5 behavior, a District Court can, after a show-cause hearing, order the animal turned over immediately and ultimately order its destruction at the owner's expense. Article 13 backs the whole scheme with the ordinance's standard misdemeanor penalty.