(a) No person shall suffer, allow or permit to remain on the same or adjacent premises controlled by him or her, within the City, more than three dogs or five cats, unless he or she obtains a kennel license as may be allowed by City zoning ordinances.
(b) The limitation set forth in subsection (a) hereof shall not apply to the owner of a female dog which has given birth to puppies, which owner may keep such female and such puppies for a period not to exceed three months from the date of birth of the litter. Neither shall such limitation apply to a properly licensed store engaged in the display and sale of dogs.
(c) The limitation set forth in subsection (a) hereof shall not apply to the owner of a female cat which has given birth to kittens, which owner may keep such female and such kittens for a period not to exceed three months from the date of birth of the litter. Neither shall such limitation apply to a properly licensed store engaged in the display and sale of cats.
(d) A kennel shall be construed as an establishment wherein or whereon four or more dogs or six or more cats are confined. Any person who keeps or operates an annual kennel shall, in lieu of individual licenses required under this chapter, apply to the City Treasurer for an annual kennel license entitling him or her to keep or operate a kennel. Proof of vaccination of the dogs against rabies is not required with the application. The license shall be issued by the City Treasurer annually on a form prepared and supplied by the City Treasurer and shall entitle the licensee to keep any number of dogs and/or cats aged six months old or older, but not at any time exceeding a certain number to be specified in the license. The annual fee to be paid for a kennel license shall be as prescribed in the schedule provided for in Section 802.24 of the Business Regulation and Taxation Code. A fee of double the original license fee shall be charged for each previously licensed kennel whose kennel license is applied for after June 1 and all animals upon the premises of the kennel will be considered unlicensed. With each kennel license, the City Treasurer shall issue a number of metal tags equal to the number of dogs authorized to be kept in the kennel. All the tags shall bear the name of the City and the number of the kennel license and shall be readily distinguishable from the individual license tags for the same year.
(e) The City Treasurer shall not issue a kennel license for a new kennel, or renewal, under the provisions of this chapter, unless the applicant furnishes an inspection certificate signed by the Animal Control Department, and has been provided proof that the applicant has paid the annual inspection fee as prescribed in the schedule provided for in Section 802.24, dated within 30 days of the filing of the application for a kennel license, stating that the kennel to be covered by the license complies with the reasonable sanitary requirements of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) and that the animals are properly fed and protected from exposure commensurate with the breed of the animals.
(f) Any animal kept in a kennel that is six months or older must possess a valid rabies vaccination before a new or renewal license shall be issued.
(g) The licensee of a kennel shall, at all times, keep one tag attached to a collar on each dog six months old or older kept by him or her under a kennel license. No dog bearing a kennel tag shall be permitted to stray or be taken anywhere outside the limits of the kennel. This section does not prohibit the taking of dogs having a kennel license outside the limits of the kennel temporarily and in leash, nor does it prohibit the taking of such dogs out of the kennel temporarily for the purpose of hunting, breeding, trial or show.
(h) All licensed kennels shall be required to have double fencing and secured flooring. The fence on the outer perimeter shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent stray animals and people from making direct contact with kennel animals. The flooring shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent animals digging out of the enclosure. Double fencing is not required if the fence is a solid fence or where animals are kept inside the kennel building.
(i) Any kennel shall be of such construction as will adequately and comfortably house any animals kept therein during any season of the year. The buildings, including walls and floor, shall be of such construction as to be readily cleaned and kennels and yards connected therewith used to confine kennel animals shall be kept clean and free from accumulation of filth and debris.
(j) All animals kept or maintained in connection with such kennels shall be furnished with a clean, fresh water supply and adequate and proper food to maintain such animals in a state of good health.
(k) Animal Control Officers shall have the right to inspect any kennel in the City in order to determine whether said kennel is in compliance with this chapter and the State statute. If the kennel has been issued a license, it shall be the duty of the ACO to suspend said license if, in the Officer's opinion, conditions exist which are unhealthy or inhumane to the animals kept therein pending correction of such conditions, and further shall have the duty to revoke said license if such conditions are not corrected within a designated reasonable time.
(l) Nothing in this section shall authorize the existence of a kennel in violation of zoning or health requirements of State law or of other provisions of these Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 45-83. Passed 10-25-83; Ord. 04-2017. Passed 5-16-17.)