Macomb County, MI enforces the Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.261 et seq.) for licensing and dangerous-dog rules, but residential leash rules are set locally. MCL 287.262 requires every dog over 4 months old to be licensed annually with proof of current rabies vaccination - administered through the Macomb County Animal Control / Treasurer's Office. MCL 287.286a prohibits dogs from running at large outside the owner's property. Sterling Heights City Code Chapter 6 and Warren City Code Chapter 6 each require dogs to be on a leash when off the owner's premises. Macomb County Animal Control (586-469-5115) handles county-wide enforcement of state dog law, dangerous-dog hearings, and stray intake.
Michigan's Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.261 et seq.) provides a statewide framework that gives counties a larger role than most states. Under MCL 287.262, every dog 4 months of age or older must be licensed annually; in Macomb County, licenses are issued by the Macomb County Treasurer/Animal Control, not by individual municipalities (one of the few county-level licensing systems in MI). Proof of current rabies vaccination is required. MCL 287.286a (Dogs Running at Large) prohibits any dog from running at large unless under reasonable control of the owner - this state statute applies countywide and is enforced by Macomb County Animal Control (586-469-5115) along with municipal police. Macomb County Animal Control operates the county shelter (21417 Dunham Rd, Clinton Township) and has primary responsibility for stray intake, bite reporting, dangerous-dog investigations, and enforcement of MCL 287.286a, MCL 287.286b (livestock damage), and the Dangerous Animal Act (MCL 287.321 et seq.). Within municipalities, Sterling Heights City Code Chapter 6 (Animals) and Warren City Code Chapter 6 add local leash and at-large rules - typically requiring dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's premises. Clinton Township, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, and other Macomb communities have substantively similar local ordinances. Dangerous-dog hearings under MCL 287.322 are handled in district court (e.g., 41-A District Court for Sterling Heights).
Owning an unlicensed dog in Macomb County is a misdemeanor under MCL 287.262 with a fine up to $500. Allowing a dog to run at large under MCL 287.286a is a misdemeanor with up to a $100 fine and/or 30 days in jail per offense. Local at-large or leash violations are typically civil infractions in Sterling Heights, Warren, and other municipalities, with fines of $50-$500 set by city ordinance. Macomb County Animal Control may impound a stray dog at the county shelter; the owner must pay impound, board, license, and vaccination fees. Dangerous-dog determinations under MCL 287.322 require a hearing in district court and can result in mandatory enclosures, microchipping, liability insurance, or euthanasia. A dog that bites a person can also trigger strict liability under MCL 287.351.
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See how Macomb County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
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