Officials in Royal Oak, Michigan, have found that unlicensed canines are involved in half of all Michigan Dog Bite incidents in the city. In an effort to reduce this number, animal control officers will be going door to door beginning next Monday to ensure each household’s pets are in compliance with pet licensing requirements.
According to an article from CBS Detroit, officers will visit with each home to ensure canines are registered and up to date on rabies vaccinations.
A three year license to own a dog in the city is currently $20. If a pet owner is caught by officers without the proper license for an animal, the owner will have 14 days to purchase the license with a $20 penalty attached. Those who refuse to purchase the license will be required to pay a $500 fine.
Officials say they are doing this for two reasons. The first is to ensure public safety. Purchasing a license allows the city to track an animal’s vaccinations, which helps to stop the spread of diseases that can result from bite incidents. Second, licensed animals are also easier to return to owners in the event they become lost.
The Bloomfield Hills Personal Injury Attorneys with Michigan Injury Lawyers applaud the efforts being made to protect citizens from the dangers dog bites can pose. The firm is hopeful the enforcement campaign is a success.
Posted In: Personal Injury