Caro City Council considers strict three-pet limit

A law proposed in the City of Caro would require cats to be spayed or neutered by the age of one and limit the number of cats and dogs residents can keep.

The proposed ordinance would also ban fowl, including ducks and chickens, within the city limits. It would require residents to show proof of vaccination if law enforcement or code enforcement officials ask for it. The city is located in Michigan’s “thumb” and has a population of about 4,200.

A member of the Caro City Council introduced the proposed ordinance for discussion June 8. There has not yet been a vote.

“It shall be unlawful for any person or owner to keep or harbor more than three dogs, three cats, or a combination of the two adding up to three older than six months of age at any family dwelling, or any commercial or industrial property,” the proposal reads.

The ordinance would also block Caro residents from providing homes for apes, crocodiles, ostriches, monkeys, sharks, hybrid wolf-dogs, and other exotic species.

The proposal includes exceptions for puppies and kittens under six months of age. Licensed veterinarians and kennels that conform with state law and zoning would be exempted.

Pet owners would be required to show or exhibit any dog or cat in their possession to a licensed inspector, police/animal control officer, or health official.

The current version of the proposal contains no grandfathering language that would provide safe harbor for owners who already have more than three dogs or cats.

State law requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies though not cats. This ordinance would require Caro cats to be vaccinated as well.

The proposed ordinance also would ban chickens, ducks, rabbits and geese.

Having five cats and dogs would violate the ordinance. So would walking the dog (outside of the owner’s property) without having a bag to be used for collecting the pooch’s feces.

Eleven residents spoke at a June 8 meeting, mostly about grandfathering and the number of animals that would be allowed.

Members of the city council did not respond to a request for comment. Rep. Matthew Bierlein, R-Vassar, represents Caro in the Michigan House of Representatives. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Michigan communities impose a range of pet limitations, often intended to prevent animal hoarding and free-roaming animals that attack people or create road hazards. In July, Redford Township animal control declared a property a danger to the public health. More than 20 cats lived in the house, ClickOnDetroit reported.

The City of Detroit reports hundreds of dog bites every year, according to data from Detroit Animal Control.

Cities in Macomb County enact a range of pet restrictions, according to the county website.

“Macomb County Animal Control understands that people often view pets as part of the family and that families come in all shapes and sizes,” the county site reads. “Many of us have furry, feathered, or reptilian family members of our own. However, in consideration of public health and safety, certain limits must be placed on the number and type of pets allowable.”

The city of Warren limits pets to five total dogs or cats, while Eastpointe limits pets to three dogs, three cats, and chickens with a permit. The city of Sterling Heights limits residents to owning four dogs or cats.