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Harrison Township board introduces sweeping animal-control ordinance to align with Macomb County best practices
Summary
The board introduced Ordinance No. 407 to repeal and replace Chapter 14 with a comprehensive animal-control code incorporating Macomb County best practices: new definitions, kennel and licensing rules, TNR protocols for community cats, limits on pets per household, hobby-breeder registration, and misdemeanor penalties; motion to introduce passed unanimously.
The Harrison Township Board of Trustees on April 14 introduced Ordinance No. 407, a comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 14 intended to align the township’s animal-control regulations with Macomb County best practices.
Supervisor Kenneth Verkest told the board the township attorney collaborated with a municipal attorney and met with Chief Jeff Randazzo to develop a draft incorporating county recommendations while allowing for certain township-specific revisions. The ordinance would repeal existing Article II and III and replace them with new provisions that: define key terms (including "dangerous animal," "community cat" and "hobby breeder"); require dog licensing and rabies vaccination consistent with state law; establish kennel standards, licensing and display requirements; limit dogs and cats to three per household with a zoning-board appeals path; set Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) procedures and caregiver registration for community cats; require hobby breeders to register and meet MDARD permit requirements; and set enforcement mechanisms including civil infraction fines and criminal penalties (a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $500).
Treasurer Lawrence Tomenello moved to introduce the ordinance and direct the clerk to publish notice of introduction and make the full text available; Trustee Dean Olgiati seconded. The board recorded AYES: Kenneth Verkest, Lawrence Tomenello, Brian Batkins, David Bratto, Liza Brown and Dean Olgiati; NAYS: none; Adam Wit excused. The motion to introduce carried.
Why it matters: the rewrite centralizes definitions and enforcement, establishes TNR rules for community cats with caregiver registration, and clarifies kennel and breeder requirements. The board introduced the draft; it will be available for public inspection and return for further consideration.
Next steps: the clerk will publish the notice of introduction and make the full text available during normal business hours as directed by the board.
