Royal Oak's 'Dangerous Dog Rules' Go into Effect Today

Royal Oak's new 'dangerous' and 'potentially dangerous' dog regulations and penalties take effect today.

Under the new rules, any dog that bites or attacks a person, dog or domestic animal is determined to be 'dangerous' in Royal Oak. Owners of such dogs will have to secure the animal in a locked pen or yard, post a warning sign, complete an animal obedience class and have a microchip injected under the dog's skin or have the dog tattooed.

Owners will now also have to maintain a minimum $1 million insurance policy to cover claims for any personal injuries inflicted by the dog. State Farm, which publishes a list of the top ten states with the most claims for dog bites the previous year, ranks Michigan sixth nationally with 151 claims worth $4.6 million.

A similar set of regulations exist for 'potentially dangerous' dogs, too. (See the attached PDF.)

Mayor Pro-Tem Patricia Capello asked for new regulations after receiving a flurry of emails from residents when police reported shooting two pit bulls attacking a smaller dog in the 600 block of Amelia in mid-December. 

The owner of the pit bulls was issued several ordinance violations. The dog that was attacked did not survive. 

"There is a great deal of concern within the community, especially from people who live within the vicinity of a dog they consider to be vicious," she said at a February meeting.

Procedurally, a dog is determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous by the Animal Control Officer when the dog has a history of bites or unprovoked attacks.

Dog owners failing to comply with the new rules could be punished by a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail or both.

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