ADOPTED - JULY 27, 2004

Agenda Item No. 54

Introduced by Commissioner Andy Schor, Chairperson, Law Enforcement Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE DOG LAW OF 1919

RESOLUTION #04-241

WHEREAS, it is believed that approximately 70% of dogs eligible for licenses in Ingham County are not licensed; and

WHEREAS, unlicensed dogs may pose a threat to the health and safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, if a licensed dog is found, the owner may be located and contacted; and

WHEREAS, a license ensures that a dog is rabies vaccinated; and

WHEREAS, a license provides proof that a dog is legally owned; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County desires to further improve the licensing process and enhance public compliance; and

WHEREAS, increased licensing could be brought about through an ordinance that ties licensing to the provision of veterinary services, specifically rabies vaccinations; and

WHEREAS, an amendment to the Dog Law of 1919 is necessary for Ingham County to enact such an ordinance.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners request the Michigan Legislature to amend the Dog Law of 1919; MCL 287.290 Section 30, as follows by adding the bolded language to the section below:

A city, village or township by action of its governing body may adopt an animal control ordinance to regulate the licensing, payment of claims and providing for the enforcement thereof. A city, village, county or township adopting a dog licensing ordinance or ordinances shall also require that such application for a license, except kennel licenses, shall be accompanied by proof of vaccination of the dog for rabies by a valid certificate of vaccination for rabies, with a vaccine licensed by the United State Department of Agriculture, signed by an accredited veterinarian.

A County Board of Commissioners may pass a resolution requiring veterinarians within the county who administer rabies vaccinations to dogs to provide a description of the dog(s) and the owner(s) name and address. The resolution may require such veterinarian(s) to provide that information no more than twenty (20) days after administering the rabies vaccination. The County Board of Commissioners may provide for a civil penalty not to exceed $100.00 per dog for veterinarians who fail to comply.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the County’s legislative delegation, the Governor, and the Michigan Association of Counties.