Michigan communities take action against feral pets
This summer, large billboards across Detroit are spreading a message that some pet owners wouldn’t think twice about: keep your dogs on a leash.
But the large number of dogs running loose in public areas in some Detroit-area communities — which can potentially cause devastating problems, especially if the dogs are not properly trained — is prompting local authorities to more strictly enforce dog leash ordinances.
Detroit’s General Services Department has launched a campaign that includes six billboards and several social media posts. The digital billboards read “Keep your dog on a leash and tagged.” West Bloomfield has posted signs along the trails behind its civic complex urging residents to keep their dogs on a leash and under the control of the owner or risk being fined.
Detroit’s campaign, which launched last month and will run throughout the summer, comes amid recent fatal dog attacks that have called for stricter enforcement of Detroit Animal Control’s dog ordinance. At least two people have been killed by loose dogs in the city since October 2023.
The city’s ordinance, which is not new, requires dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash outside and take precautions to prevent them from escaping from their homes. State law also requires dogs to be on a leash in public areas.
Crystal Perkins, director of the Detroit General Services Department, said the campaign, which aims to enforce the city’s dog ordinance, was born after internal city discussions about the need to promote responsible pet ownership.
“As the weather gets warmer, people are outside more and spending more time with their dogs,” Perkins said. “We want to remind people that it is the law to keep dogs on a leash… Most people don’t know that’s the law in Detroit.”
The city’s dog ordinance also requires rabies vaccinations for dogs, obtaining a license for dogs older than four months, and keeping dogs on a leash when not on their owner’s property, including in parks. Likewise, Michigan’s 1919 dog law states that dogs older than six months must have a license and wear a state-approved collar at all times. With the exception of working dogs, all dogs must be on a leash at all times in public and cannot be left unattended.
Perkins said the problem of stray dogs in Detroit is not about stray dogs, but rather about the negligence and irresponsibility of dog owners in dealing with their pets.
“In the last year, all the dogs that have been injured were those that belonged to residents of the city, not strays,” she said. “…These are dogs that someone loves and that are part of the extended family and that have been allowed to live in a situation where they are not fenced in or on a leash.”
Detroit has a difficult history when it comes to fatal dog bites.
Last October, four-year-old Lovell Anderson was attacked and killed by a loose dog. And in January, Harold Phillips, a 35-year-old father of six, was mauled to death by three loose dogs. Both incidents occurred in Detroit and all of the dogs had owners but were off-leash or unsupervised.
Charges have been filed against the owners of the dogs that attacked Phillips. Phillips’ widow also filed a civil suit against them, as well as against Detroit Animal Control and its former director, claiming the agency was warned about the same dogs and told they were dangerous, but did nothing about it.
“We’ve been planning to tighten dog regulations for some time, but when the attack on Harold Philips occurred, we realized we needed to step up our plan and get the message out more, especially now that the weather is getting warmer,” Perkins said.
Why dog training is important
Myron Golden, community engagement manager at Michigan Humane Detroit, has worked as an animal cruelty investigator in the city for seven years.
He said vicious dogs are the result of inexperienced owners who self-train their animals to be “guard dogs,” reinforcing dangerous behaviors such as biting and attacking with treats and encouragement. He said a big problem with some owners who focus on training their animals to be guard dogs is that many end up neglecting to make sure their dogs are properly secured, leashed and unable to escape at home.
“I recently had a situation where a dog tried to come through the front door and maul me. The owner rewarded the dog, told him he was a good boy and gave him a treat for trying to attack me. And that’s exactly what she wanted the dog to do,” Golden said. “…Unfortunately, it’s common for these dogs to escape the house or the yard and then when they’re running loose around town, they attack another person or animal because they haven’t been trained and have only learned to be aggressive.”
Michigan Humane Detroit offers temperament training for dogs, education on how to avoid aggressive dog behavior, and a team of behaviorists who work on pet socialization. In addition, the humane society conducts home visits and pet health checks.
Benefits of letting dogs run off leash
Reports from several Michigan cities show that irresponsible pet ownership has become a growing problem. Last May, a Farmington Hills man was mauled to death in his home by the family dog. And in West Bloomfield, a group of residents regularly walk their pack of loose dogs on city paths.
Dale Young, assistant chief of the West Bloomfield Police Department, said he is not aware of any problems with dogs running loose in the community. But several signs are posted along the trails behind the community’s civic center on Walnut Lake Road, reminding walkers that pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet long and under the control of the owner. “Violators may be fined,” the signs read in red letters.
“We want to make the public aware that they need to keep their dogs under control and on a leash… we want to do this for the safety of everyone involved,” Young said.
Averi Gibas is the owner and head trainer of Unleashed, a dog training school in Chesaning, Saginaw County. She said there are benefits for well-trained and socialized dogs to be able to run free in designated areas, such as certain hiking trails or nature parks.
“I believe leashes have their place. When you’re driving through a busy neighborhood, I’m a firm believer that all dogs should be on a leash, whether they’re trained or not,” Gibas said. “But when it comes to freedom off leash, I believe it allows the dog to explore the world through his nose, build trust and just be a dog, while remaining safe and under control.”
Making sure “everyone is safe”
In Detroit, letting your dog run free can be a violation of the public disorderly conduct law, punishable by a $500 fine, a 90-day jail sentence, or both. Perkins said authorities want to make sure all residents can enjoy the outdoors, whether they have a pet or not.
“We want to make sure all of our residents and visitors can experience and enjoy the outdoors,” Perkins said. “We want to make sure everyone is safe, and that means everyone should do their part. … It’s about keeping our city’s fellow citizens and residents safe.”
Released dogs in Detroit
Residents who wish to report off-leash dogs can call 313-922-DOGS.
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