Royal Oak Township, MI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 4-21 of the Code of Ordinances of the Charter Township of Royal Oak governs dangerous dogs by conduct, not by breed. No person can own or harbor a fierce or vicious dog, a dog that has bitten either a person or another animal, or a dog that has been bitten by any animal known to have been afflicted with rabies. A search of the full code finds no named breed, no pit bull provision and no separate dangerous dog declaration process, so one bite is enough to put a dog within the ban.

The enforcement path is spelled out. Whenever a dog is brought to the pound for having bitten a person or another animal, the code or animal control officer or other duly authorized officer, if deemed necessary and advisable, holds the dog a sufficient length of time to meet the Township's requirements for investigation. The officer can then cause the township attorney to petition the district court for the dog to be destroyed as a vicious dog. The decision belongs to the court, not to the officer.

Rabies adds two duties. Anyone with a dog that has contracted or is suspected of having contracted rabies, or that has been bitten by an animal known to have had rabies, must on demand of any Township officer produce and surrender the dog for observation or treatment. With the approval of the health department, such a dog can instead go to a registered veterinary or an approved nonprofit corporation organized for sheltering dogs. An owner whose dog was attacked or bitten by a dog or other animal showing rabies symptoms must immediately notify the police department or the code enforcement officer.

The license application under § 4-58 asks only for a description, including breed or type of dog, if known, and a breed answer carries no restriction. Section 4-20 separately makes owners liable for damages for injuries their dogs cause in public places.