(a) Licensing Required. All dogs shall be licensed in accordance with State law (M.C.L.A. 287.266) except:
(1) A dog under four (4) months of age.
(2) A dog licensed by another state in which the dog and owner reside, if the owner will be present in Macomb County for thirty (30) days or less.
(b) Rabies Vaccination. All dogs shall be protected by a rabies vaccine at the time of license issuance. Such vaccine shall be administered by a veterinarian except when a veterinarian states annually in writing that the dog should not be vaccinated for medical reasons and indicates when/if the dog can be vaccinated.
(c) Licensing Limitations. A dog license shall be issued for only an animal that has a current rabies vaccination. A one (1) year license may be issued to an unvaccinated dog if the required veterinarian certification has been obtained.
(d) Individual Licenses. The Director shall issue licenses as provided by M.C.L.A. 287.274. License fees shall be periodically reviewed by the Macomb Office of the County Executives.
(e) License Late Fees. Failure to comply with the licensing requirements of this subchapter will result in the imposition of such late fees and penalties as may be periodically reviewed by the Macomb Office of the County Executives, in addition to penalties established by local and state laws.
(f) Hobby Breeder Registration. A County permitted hobby breeder may sell, trade, exchange or otherwise place up to twenty (20) animals per calendar year.
(1) Registration. Hobby breeder registrations are limited annually to one (1) per person, entity, corporation and location. The applicant must not have been convicted of animal negligence, cruelty, abuse, or in violation of Macomb County Animal Control Best Practices. All registration requests are subject to approval. Registration fees shall be periodically reviewed by the Macomb Office of the County Executives.
(2) Inspection. A recipient of a hobby breeder permit shall allow an inspection performed by Animal Control as specified in this subchapter annually, without a warrant of the premises used for sheltering, harboring, and/or maintaining, except for those portions of the premises used solely for human habitation or to house personal pets not used for breeding. Conditions are specified in this subchapter. Hobby breeders shall maintain current verifiable records for a period of at least two (2) years. The records shall include:
A. The verified name and address of the person from whom the animal was acquired, where the animal was acquired, and the date that the animal was acquired.
B. A description and identification of the animal, including the animal's identification information, color, breed, sex, alteration status, and approximate weight and age.
C. The date and method of disposition of the animal. If the animal is adopted, transferred, or sold, the records shall also include the verified name and address of the person to whom the dog is adopted, transferred, or sold.
D. The number of intact breeding adult animals.
E. Breeding records for each female intact animal that include the approximate date the animal was bred and the birth date and size of each litter.
(3) Medical Care. Every hobby breeder permittee shall have a primary veterinarian responsible for the veterinary care of the animals. All animals on the premises must be current on required rabies, and species/age specific vaccinations and licensed. Pet Health Certificates must be issued by a veterinarian; a copy must be provided when selling, trading, exchanging or otherwise placing the animal, and a copy must be kept for the breeder's records and provided during inspections. Animals involved in interstate transport will be required to have a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
(Ord. 484. Passed 2-27-23.)