June 13, 2012 ( PETAZON )
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It’s summer time and dog owners across Michigan are back to one of Michigander’s favorite pastimes: walking the dog. Are there laws that a dog owner needs to be aware of when walking his or her dog in the state of Michigan?
An overview of the “Michigan Leash Law” is as stated:
Any dog over six months must be registered and wear a collar at all times. The law also mandates that female dogs in heat must be kept on their owners’ premises or restrained on a leash. The overall leash requirement is less clear, stating that it is unlawful for an owner to allow a dog “to stray unless held properly in leash.”
This does appear to mandate a statewide leash requirement for dogs, however.
Statute in Full:
Sec. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog 6 months old or over, unless the dog is licensed as hereinafter provided, or to own any dog 6 months old or over that does not at all times wear a collar with a tag approved by the director of agriculture, attached as hereinafter provided, except when engaged in lawful hunting accompanied by its owner or custodian; or for any owner of any female dog to permit the female dog to go beyond the premises of such owner when she is in heat, unless the female dog is held properly in leash; or for any person except the owner or authorized agent, to remove any license tag from a dog; or for any owner to allow any dog, except working dogs such as leader dogs, guard dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs, and other such dogs, when accompanied by their owner or his authorized agent, while actively engaged in activities for which such dogs are trained, to stray unless held properly in leash.
Farmington Hills, MI pet retailer, Ray Joyce of GregRobert Pet Supplies stated that sales of retractable leashes, as well as nylon and leather leashes peak in the month of June. “The increase is in part that dog owners discover the leash from last year is missing or damaged, but in part it’s because each year we stock the latest and greatest styles.” This year, our Safety Orange Leashes are extremely popular as well as our new ‘Caramel, Expresso and Latte Retractable Leashes‘.
