Bay County, MI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Leash length rule
- Restrained means 6 feet or less
- Working dog exception
- Leader, farm, hunting dogs when accompanied
- First-offense penalty
- Civil infraction, up to $500
- Enforcement action
- Seizure and impoundment allowed
- Governing section
- § 50.801(b)
Summary
Bay County bans letting a dog run at large, defined as unrestrained wandering off the owner's property or on a leash longer than six feet. Working dogs actively engaged in hunting, farm work or training while accompanied by their owner are exempt from the leash requirement. Violations are civil infractions with fines up to $500.
(u)Run at large. The unrestrained wandering or roaming of an animal other than a cat on public property or on the private property of other persons, or restrained wandering on a leash held by the owner if the leash is longer than six (6) feet. ... (b)For dogs to run at large; provided, however, that working dogs such as leader dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs, and other trained dogs actively engaged in their trained activities accompanied by their owners need not be leashed when under the reasonable control of their owners;
Full Breakdown
801(b) of the Animal Control Ordinance (Part 50, Article VIII) makes it unlawful for an owner to let or allow a dog to run at large, with a carve-out for working dogs: leader dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs and other trained dogs actively engaged in their trained activities and accompanied by their owner need not be leashed while under the owner's reasonable control. 200(u) is specific: it is the unrestrained wandering or roaming of an animal other than a cat on public property or on another person's private property, or restrained wandering on a leash held by the owner if that leash is longer than six feet.
That means a dog on a leash under six feet, held by its owner, does not violate the section even off its own property, while a dog loose in a neighbor's yard or wandering a public street unrestrained does. 602.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Section 50.801(b) is a civil infraction under Section 50.1001(2), with the court assessing fines up to $500 plus costs. The Animal Control Officer may seize and impound a dog found running at large, and the owner must pay the required redemption fees at the animal shelter before the dog is released.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my dog's leash be in Bay County?
Are working dogs exempt from the leash rule?
What happens if Animal Control catches my dog at large?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bay County
Compare Bay County to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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