Clinton Township, MI Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered animals
- any animal/fowl except owned domestic cats
- Liability standard
- strict liability on the owner
- Exception
- lawful hunting under State law
- Enforcement
- animal control officers (610.01)
- Penalty
- misdemeanor (610.99)
Summary
Clinton Township makes it unlawful for any owner to let a dog, or any animal other than a domestic cat, run loose on a street, alley, or public place, or trespass onto someone else's property without permission. The owner is strictly liable any time the animal is out of control.
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any animal or fowl other than domestic cats owned by him or her, or in his or her possession or control, to run at large in any street, alley, or public place, or upon the premises of another without the express permission of the owner or occupant thereof. Lawful hunting occurring compliant with applicable State law and ordinances is an exception. The owner of any animal except a domestic cat, shall be strictly liable and in violation of this chapter where such animal is not in the possession or control of a person, or running at large in any street, alley or public place, or upon the premises of another without the express permission of the owner or occupant thereof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Local legislation current through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
02 bars any person from permitting an animal or fowl, other than an owned domestic cat, to run at large in any street, alley, or public place, or to wander onto the premises of another person without that person's express permission. The section carves out one exception: lawful hunting conducted in compliance with State law and Township ordinances. Beyond making running at large illegal, the section imposes strict liability on the owner: whenever the animal is not in someone's possession or control, or is running at large or trespassing, the owner is automatically in violation regardless of whether they intended to let it loose or knew it had escaped.
02 exempts from the running-at-large ban, reflecting the Township's separate treatment of cats elsewhere in Chapter 610. 01, who include specially designated Township police officers and County-employed officers authorized to issue citations.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 610.02 imposes strict liability, an owner can be cited under Section 610.99 the moment a dog is found loose or on someone else's property without permission, whether or not the owner was present or aware the animal had gotten out. A violation is a misdemeanor subject to the penalties set out elsewhere in the Code of Ordinances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed to run loose in Clinton Township?
Are cats exempt from the at-large rules?
Can I be cited if my dog escapes the yard without my knowledge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clinton Township
Compare Clinton Township to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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