The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and control the conduct,
keeping and care of animals within the Township.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall
apply:
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL
Various animals domesticated by humans so as to live and
breed in a tame condition.
EXOTIC/WILD ANIMAL
Undomesticated animals or any dangerous animal normally classified
as wild, including, but is not limited to, nondomestically bred parrots,
parakeets or other exotic birds, Canada geese, alligators, bears,
birds of prey, monkeys, panthers, cougars, lions, wolves, coyotes,
chimpanzees, venomous or constrictor reptiles, and wild felines. In
addition, exotic/wild animals shall include any hybrid between a wild
animal and a domesticated animal, such as a hybrid between a dog and
a wolf, a dog and a coyote, a cat and a bobcat, or other wild feline.
KENNEL/STABLE (COMMERCIAL)
Any lot or premises where animals, of at least six months
in age, are kept either permanently or temporarily as a business operation
for the purposes of breeding, boarding, training, sale or transfer.
KENNEL/STABLE (PRIVATE)
Any lot which is zoned or used as single-family residential
property on which up to five animals, over the age of six months or
more, are kept either permanently or temporarily by the owner or resident
of said property for the purpose of breeding, training, a sporting
activity or the sale.
LIVESTOCK
Domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats,
donkeys, mules, buffalo, or oxen that are raised in an agricultural
setting.
POULTRY
Domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese
raised for meat or eggs.
VICIOUS/DANGEROUS ANIMAL
Any animal that attacks, bites or physically injures a human
being or other animal without provocation.
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) shall have the power to hear
and decide appeals resulting from enforcement of this article. The
ZBA process and variance criteria specified in the Zoning Ordinance shall apply.
The purpose of this article is the control and regulation of
dogs to secure the public health, safety and welfare of persons and
property within the Township, the implementation of certain statutes,
including, among others, Public Act 287 of 1969, as amended (MCL 287.331
et seq.).
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
HUNTING
Allowing a dog to range freely within sight or sound of its
owner while in the course of hunting legal game or an unprotected
animal.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any person employed or elected by the people of the state
or by any county or municipality whose duty is to preserve peace,
to make arrests or to enforce the law and includes conservation officers
and members of the state police.
OWNER
Every person having a right of property in the dog and every
person who keeps or harbors the dog or has it in his care and every
person who permits the dog to remain on or about any premises occupied
by him.
POUND
A facility designated by the Township to impound and care
for dogs found in streets or otherwise at large contrary to any provision
of the Township Code or state law.
Every owner of a dog is liable for damages for any and all injuries
to persons and property that may be caused by such dog, such damages
to be determined and collected through appropriate legal proceedings,
in which proceedings any failure or refusal by such owner to comply
with the requirements of this article shall constitute prima facie
evidence of negligence on the part of the owner.
It shall be the duty of every law enforcement officer to enforce
the provisions of this article and shall promptly seize and deliver
to the veterinarian, or place in the pound, any dog that is:
A. Suspected of having rabies or of having bitten any person; or
B. Found running at large; or
C. Harbored or owned contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
Any impounded dog not claimed and released within four days
after its acquisition, except an impounded dog having a collar, license
or other evidence of ownership and in such case within seven days
of the mailing of notice hereinbefore provided, may be sold at the
pound by a public auction at 12:00 noon of the next succeeding day
to the highest bidder, and the amount of said bid shall be paid to
the Township Treasurer, or may be otherwise disposed of by the veterinarian.
The body of any dog destroyed pursuant to the provisions of this article
shall be disposed of in such manner as the veterinarian shall determine,
and the veterinarian shall promptly notify the Township Treasurer
of the date and nature of disposition of each dog.