Battle Creek, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 608.28 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances governs wild animals kept in the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. Keeping, harboring or allowing a wild animal to remain on the property is unlawful unless the keeper meets seven conditions. The keeper holds every State and Federal permit required for the animal, allows Animal Control Officers to inspect the animal and its enclosure at any time and as often as the officer deems necessary, maintains an area sized to the species' biological and social need to prevent escape and keep the animal in sanitary conditions, provides veterinary care, accepts presumed liability for damage or injury caused by the animal, handles escapes as the section requires, and complies with applicable zoning laws.

The definition decides what counts. Section 608.01(oo) defines a wild animal as any animal normally found in the wild irrespective of geographic origin, any crossbreed of these animals with domestic animals, or any descendant of such crossbreeds that is 25% or more wild, and which because of its size, vicious propensity or other characteristic would constitute a danger to human life or domesticated animals. Any canine with a genetic make-up of 25% or higher wolf, coyote or fox is treated as a wild animal. Section 608.01(k) separately defines an exotic animal as a non-domesticated species not commonly kept as a household pet or for food or fiber production, and the chapter's definition of animal excludes animals considered exotic or wild.

Escape is handled with a hard deadline. The owner must immediately report the escape to the Police Department and recapture the animal, and immediately means within one hour after becoming aware of the escape or after the owner should reasonably be aware of it. If the animal endangers public safety, Animal Control assists at the owner's expense with whatever means are available, including destroying the animal. Ferrets are handled separately: Section 608.25 requires a license for a ferret over twelve weeks of age, and Section 608.26(e) bars releasing or abandoning one.