Dogs in Michigan, United States: rules, tax and travel
Dogs 4 months and older are licensed with the county, township or city and must have a current rabies vaccine. Owners are strictly liable for bites.
Counties and local governments set the licence fee and other dog rules.
The national rules for United States apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Dogs 4 months or older must be licensed through the county treasurer or the township or city treasurer; a current rabies certificate is needed and the fee is set in the county budget, lower for spayed or neutered dogs (MCL 287.266).[1]
Other rules
Rabies: owners must keep the dog currently vaccinated by an accredited vet with a USDA licensed vaccine (MCL 287.266).[1]
Bite liability: strict. An unprovoked bite in public or where the victim is lawfully present makes the owner liable, regardless of former viciousness or knowledge (MCL 287.351).[2]
Breed rules: no state preemption of local breed laws found.[3]
Not confirmed yet: Leash and muzzle. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-287-266 (official)
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-287-351 (official)
- animallaw.info/article/overview-states-prohibit-bsl (secondary source)