McCracken County, KY Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

McCracken County does not require every dog or cat to carry a microchip. The mandate in the Code of Ordinances is narrower and punitive: under § 50.99(F), a person convicted of owning or possessing a vicious animal in violation of § 50.06 faces a fine of $100 to $500 or up to 90 days in the county jail, or both, and the court must additionally order either euthanasia of the animal or a set of retention conditions. The first of those conditions, § 50.99(F)(1)(a), requires the vicious animal to be neutered and to have a microchip implanted for identification purposes and registered with Animal Control.

The remaining conditions in the same subsection layer on top of the microchip requirement: the animal must be confined in a secure enclosure at least seven feet high with anti-climb features or an equivalent covered structure, the enclosure must post a visible warning sign, the animal cannot leave the enclosure except for veterinary care or under Animal Control's direction, and it must be muzzled and leashed to no more than three feet when allowed outside under supervision. The owner must also notify Animal Control immediately if the animal escapes, attacks, or dies.

A second or subsequent vicious-animal conviction escalates the fine to $250 to $500 or up to a year in jail, and if the same animal is involved again, § 50.99(G) requires the court to order it surrendered to Animal Control for euthanasia.