Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mi-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes-mcl-75049-70
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 06:05:37+00:00

Document:
The Michigan Legislature has designed three primary provisions related to cruelty to animals: intentional infliction of pain and suffering, duty to provide care, and anti-animal fighting. The intentional infliction of pain and suffering provision carries the most severe penalties for animal cruelty and a violation is automatically a felony. A violation of the duty to provide care provision is initially a misdemeanor, which becomes a felony for a second or subsequent violation. A violation of the anti-animal fighting provision is either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of conduct related to fighting (for example, being a spectator at a fight is a misdemeanor while organizing a fight is a felony). Michigan anti-animal cruelty law also protects animals in work-related roles, such as guide dogs and police animals.
Section 750.50b is the primary felony anti-animal cruelty provision in Michigan. This law was amended in late 2008 to clearly define killing or torturing an animal as a general intent crime (the terms "willfully" and "maliciously" were changed to "knowingly"). Under the statute, violation is an automatic felony punishable by a prison term of up to four years for knowingly killing, torturing, mutilating, maiming, poisoning any animal "without just cause." That phrase was added to exclude negligent conduct such as hitting a deer on the road. In addition, commission of a reckless act knowing or having reason to know that the act will cause an animal to be killed, tortured, mutilated, maimed, or disfigured also falls under the statute. Among the exclusions are hunting, fishing, trapping, livestock husbandry, and scientific research. Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.50b(1)-(2) (2001).
The offense is a felony punishable by imprisonment for no more than 4 years and/or a fine of no more than $5,000.00. §750.50b(2) . The offender may be ordered to pay the costs of prosecution, to pay the costs of care, housing, and medical treatment for the animal victim, and to obtain a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and attend counseling if deemed necessary. § 750.50b(3)-(4) . Further, punishment may include the temporary or permanent relinquishment of animal ownership, the violation of which subjects the offender to possible revocation of probation and the contempt powers of the court. §750.50b(5)-(6) .
The provision does not apply to the lawful killing of livestock or customary animal husbandry of livestock, or lawful fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, pest or rodent control, and animal research. § 750.50b(7)-(8) .
Below the main provisions are the other sections of the anti-cruelty chapter.
MCL 750.49 – Animal Fighting Provision - The anti-animal fighting provision prohibits conduct related to animal fighting, including but not limited to organizing or being a spectator at a fight and training or using animals for fighting.
MCL 750.50 - Duty to Provide Adequate Care Provision - This statute sets out the Michigan duty of care for all vertebrate animals, including what define adequate food, water, and shelter. Also explained are the penalty and forfeiture provisions for violations of the statute. The exclusions under the statute include those animals used in hunting, fishing, trapping, horse racing, farming, zoos, and scientific research.
MCL 750.50a - Service Animal Provision - This statute sets out the penalty for willful and malicious assault/harassment or interference with service animals used by a person with a disability. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
MCLA 750.50b - Intentional Infliction of Pain and Suffering Provision - This statute makes it an automatic felony punishable by a prison term of up to four years for the malicious and intentional torturing, maiming, poisoning or unjustified killing of any animal not excluded by statute. Among the exclusions are hunting, fishing, trapping, livestock husbandry, and scientific research.
MCL 750.50c - Police Dog or Horse Provision - This statute outlines the penalty for the intentional physical harm or interference with a police dog or horse. The statute provides for a misdemeanor in the case of interference to the animal and a five-year felony where the animal was killed or seriously physically injured. If the interference was committed during the commission of another felony, then the penalty rises to a potential two-year imprisonment.
MCL 750.51 - Confining Animals on Railroad Cars - This Michigan law provides that no railroad company shall permit the confinement of animals in railroad cars for longer than 36 consecutive hours without unloading for rest, water, and feeding of at least 5 consecutive hours unless prevented by a storm, or other "accidental causes." Any company, owner or custodian of such animals, who does not comply with the provisions of this section, can be fined between $100 and $500 for each and every such offense.
MCL 750.52 - Duty to Enforce Provision - Note: Repealed by P.A.2015, No. 210, § 1(f), Eff. March 14, 2016. This statute used to provide that it is the duty of the officials involved in animal cruelty investigations to arrest and prosecute those committing the offenses where there is knowledge or reasonable notice of the acts. The failure or neglect by an officer involved to do so may result in a misdemeanor.
MCL 750.53 - Search and Seizure Provision - This statute provides that a person violating any of the animal cruelty statutes may be arrested without warrant, similar to the arrest of those found disturbing the peace. Further, the official making the arrest has a duty to seize the animals involved and place them in the custody of the jurisdiction.
750.68. Brand of animals; changing, etc.
Sec. 54. Search warrant--When complaint is made, on oath or affirmation, to any magistrate authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases, that the complainant believes that any of the provisions of the preceding sections of this chapter are being, or are about to be violated in any particular building or place, such magistrate, if satisfied that there is reasonable cause for such belief, shall issue and deliver a search warrant to any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or public officer, authorizing him to search such building or place and to arrest any person or persons engaged in violating any of the provisions of the preceding sections of this chapter, as well as any person or persons there present, and aiding or abetting therein, and to bring such person or persons before some magistrate of competent jurisdiction, to be dealt with according to law. Such officer shall, at the same time, seize and bring to said magistrate every article or instrument found in said building or place especially designed or adapted to torture or inflict wounds upon any animal or to aid in the fighting or baiting of any animal; and unless within 10 days after the trial of the person or persons so arrested, the owner of said article or instrument shall show, to the satisfaction of said magistrate, that the same is not designed or adapted to the wounding or torture of animals, or if so designed or adapted, is not intended to be used or employed for such purpose, the magistrate shall destroy such article or instrument.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 54, Eff. Sept. 18.
Sec. 55. Any society incorporated in this state for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals may designate 1 or more persons in each county of the state to discover and prosecute all cases of the violation of the provisions of this chapter; and the sheriff of such county may appoint each person so designated a deputy sheriff, provided such person shall be of good moral character, and each person so appointed by the sheriff shall possess all the powers of a sheriff of the county in enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. The sheriff shall not be responsible for any of the acts of such person or persons, but the society, if incorporated, and if not, then the officers and members of the society, on the request of which such person was appointed, shall be liable in the degree of a principal for the acts of an agent.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 55, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1968, No. 105, § 1, Imd. Eff. June 7.
The 1968 amendment, in the first sentence deleted “the preceding sections of” following “provisions of” in two places, and “it shall be the duty of” following “this chapter; and”, and substituted “may appoint” for “to appoint”, and in the second sentence deleted “however,” following “The sheriff,”.
Sec. 56. Definitions--In the preceding sections of this chapter [FN1] the word “animal” or “animals” shall be held to include all brute creatures, and the words “owner”, “person”, and “whoever” shall be held to include corporations as well as individuals, and the knowledge and acts of agents of any persons employed by corporations in regard to animals transported, owned, or employed by, or in the custody of such corporations, shall be held to be the acts and knowledge of such corporations.
[FN1] M.C.L.A. §§ 750.49 to 750.55.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 56, Eff. Sept. 18.
Sec. 57. A person who places a dead animal or part of the carcass of a dead animal into a lake, river, creek, pond, road, street, alley, lane, lot, field, meadow, or common, or in any place within 1 mile of the residence of a person, except the same and every part of the carcass is buried at least 4 feet underground, and the owner or owners thereof who knowingly permits the carcass or part of a carcass to remain in any of those places, to the injury of the health, or to the annoyance of another is guilty of a misdemeanor. Every 24 hours that the owner permits the carcass or part of a carcass to remain after a conviction under this section is an additional offense under this section, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 or more than $500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days.
Amended by P.A.2002, No. 672, Eff. March 31, 2003.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 57, Eff. Sept. 18.
For effective date provisions of P.A.2002, No. 672, see the Historical and Statutory Notes following M.C.L.A. § 750.16.
P.A.1867, No. 70, § 1.
Sec. 58. Unhitching and driving away horses without authority--Any person who shall wilfully and maliciously or wantonly, and without authority unhitch any horse or team belonging to another, and lawfully hitched or standing in any street, alley or other place, or who in like manner shall ride or drive such horse or team away shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 58, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1885, No. 97, § 1.
Sec. 59. Disposition and use of animals permanently unfit for work--Any person who shall offer for sale or sell or trade any horse or mule which by reason of debility, disease, lameness, injury or for any other cause is permanently unfit for work, except to a person or corporation operating a horse hospital, animal retreat farm or other institution or place designed or maintained for the humane keeping, treatment or killing of horses, mules or other live stock, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person who shall lead, drive or ride any horse or mule, which by reason of debility, disease, lameness or injury, or for other causes is permanently unfit for work, on any public way for any purpose, except that of conveying such animal to a proper place for its humane keeping, or killing or for medical or surgical treatment shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 59, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1913, No. 354, §§ 1 to 3.
C.L.1915, §§ 15546 to 15548.
C.L.1929, §§ 17077 to 17079.
Sec. 60. (1) A person who cuts the bone of the tail of a horse for the purpose of docking the tail, or who causes or knowingly permits the cutting to be done upon the premises of which he or she is the owner, lessee, proprietor, or user, or who assists in or is present at such cutting, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00. However, this subsection does not apply to the cutting of the bone of the tail of a horse for the purpose of docking the tail when a certificate of a regularly qualified veterinary surgeon is first obtained certifying that the cutting is necessary for the health or safety of the horse.
(2) If a horse is found with its tail cut and with the wound resulting from the cutting unhealed, upon the premises of any person, those facts shall be prima facie evidence that the person occupying or using the premises on which that horse is found has committed the offense described in subsection (1).
(3) If a horse is found with its tail cut and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed, in the charge or custody of any person, that fact shall be prima facie evidence that the person having the charge or custody of that horse has committed the offense charged in subsection (1).
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 60, Eff. Sept. 18.
“Sec. 60. Docking horses tails--Any person who shall cut the bone of the tail of any horse for the purpose of docking the tail, or any person who shall cause or knowingly permit it to be done upon the premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or any person who shall assist in or be present at such cutting, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail of not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than 500 dollars: Provided, That such cutting of the bone of the tail of any horse for the purpose of docking the tail shall be lawful when a certificate of a regularly qualified veterinary surgeon shall first be obtained certifying that such cutting is necessary for the health or safety of such horse.
“If a horse shall be found with its tail so cut and with the wound resulting from such cutting unhealed, upon the premises of any person, such facts shall be prima facie evidence that the person occupying or using the premises on which such horse is so found has committed the offense described in this section.
P.A.1901, No. 45, §§ 1 to 3.
C.L.1915, §§ 15549 to 15551.
C.L.1929, §§ 17080 to 17082.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 61, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1901, No. 45, § 4.
Sec. 62. Registration of docked horses--Within 90 days after this act shall take effect, every owner or user of any docked horse within this state shall register such docked horse or horses by filing in the office of the county clerk of the county in which such docked horse or horses may be kept, a certificate which shall contain the name or names of the owner or owners, together with his or their post office address, together with a full description of the color, age, size and the use made of such docked horse or horses, which certificate shall be signed by the owner or the owners, or his or their agent. The county clerk shall number such certificates consecutively and shall record the same in a book kept for that purpose, and shall receive as a fee for the recording of such certificate the sum of 50 cents: Provided, This section shall not apply to or make necessary the re-registration of docked horses which have been registered pursuant to Act No. 45 of the Public Acts of 1901, [FN1] as amended, being sections 17080 to 17086 inclusive of the Compiled Laws of 1929.
[FN1] Repealed by P.A.1931, No. 328, § 567.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 62, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1901, No. 45, § 5.
Sec. 63. Prima facie evidence of unlawful docking--The driving, working, keeping, racing or using of any unregistered docked horse or horses subsequent to 90 days after this act shall take effect shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the fact that the party driving, working, keeping, racing or using such unregistered docked horse or horses, unlawfully docked the tail of such horse or horses.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 63, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1901, No. 45, § 6.
Sec. 64. A person who violates a provision of this chapter by failing to register a docked horse as herein provided is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or a fine of not more than $750.00.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 64, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1901, No. 45, § 7.
Sec. 65. Any person being the owner of a bull 6 months or more of age or having the same in charge, who shall permit said bull to run at large upon any highway or unenclosed lands shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days or by a fine of not more than $100.00, or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 65, added by P.A.1947, No. 30, Eff. Oct. 11, 1947.
The original § 65 of P.A.1931, No. 328, prohibited the importation of diseased and undipped sheep, and was repealed by P.A.1943, No. 123, Imd. Eff. April 13. See, now, M.C.L.A. § 287.727.
(a) His or her name and address and, if that person does not own the dog or wolf-dog cross, the name and address of the dog's or wolf-dog cross's owner.
(b) Information, if known by that person, as to whether the dog or wolf-dog cross is current on all legally required vaccinations.
(4) As used in this section, “dog” and “wolf-dog cross” mean those terms as defined in section 2 of the wolf-dog cross act, 2000 PA 246, MCL 287.1002.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 66, added by P.A.2008, No. 205, Eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect January 1, 2009.
House Bill No. 4065, was enacted as P.A.2008, No. 206, and was approved July 10, 2008, and filed July 11, 2008, effective January 1, 2009.
P.A.2008, No. 205, was ordered to take immediate effect, and was approved July 10, 2008, and filed July 11, 2008.
Original § 66 of P.A.1931, No. 328, prohibited sheep running at large and the sale of diseased sheep, was repealed by P.A.1943, No. 123. See M.C.L.A. § 287.727.
Sec. 66a. (1) If a person 18 years of age or older is responsible for controlling the actions of a dog or wolf-dog cross and the person knows or has reason to know that the dog or wolf-dog cross has bitten another person, the person shall remain on the scene until the requirements of section 66 [FN1] are fulfilled.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 66a, added by P.A.2008, No. 206, Eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
Senate Bill No. 346, was enacted as P.A.2008, No. 205, and was approved July 10, 2008, and filed July 11, 2008, effective January 1, 2009.
P.A.2008, No. 206, was ordered to take immediate effect, and was approved July 10, 2008, and filed July 11, 2008.
Sec. 67. Domestic animals or fowl on cemetery grounds, landing fields and airports--Any owner or keeper of any domestic animal or fowl, who shall allow any domestic animal or fowl to run at large and enter or be upon any premises constituting a cemetery, landing field or airport in this state, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 67, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1933, No. 155, § 1, Imd. Eff. June 22.
P.A.1915, No. 34, §§ 1, 2.
Sec. 68. Changing, etc., brand of animals--Any person who shall mark or brand, or alter or deface the mark or brand of any domestic animal, the property of another, with intent thereby to steal the same, or to prevent identification thereof by the true owner, shall be guilty of felony, and any person who shall mark or brand, or alter or deface the mark or brand of any domestic animal whether the property of himself or another with intent to sell, ship, trade or give away contrary to law any animal which has given the positive reaction to the bovine tuberculosis test or the blood test for Bang's disease or with intent to avoid any lawful quarantine of such animal, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 68, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1937, No. 57, § 1, Imd. Eff. May 27.
P.A.1893, No. 122, § 3.
Sec. 69. Rescuing animals--Any person who shall rescue any cattle, horse, mule, sheep, swine or goat when impounded, or while being driven or taken to the pound or other place of custody by any officer or person in charge of such animals, or while such animals are shut up by and in the custody of any person for trespassing upon premises, or for running at large contrary to law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 69, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1879, No. 248, § 9.
Sec. 70. Unlawfully impounding animals--Any person who shall take any animal mentioned in the next preceding section [FN1] not running at large contrary to law from the stable, pasture, or any enclosure or other place where such animals are lawfully and rightfully kept, or may be, and any person who shall drive, or let them out, or untie, or unloose the same, or shall knowingly seize or take the same from the custody of any person driving or taking the same on the public highway or streets to or from a pasture or to or from any other place where the same may be lawfully taken or driven, for the purpose of impounding such animals contrary to law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 70, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1879, No. 248, § 10.
Sec. 70a. (1) An individual other than the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of a dog, or a law enforcement officer, an animal control officer, or an animal protection shelter employee acting in his or her official capacity, shall not willfully or maliciously remove a collar or a microchip from that dog with the intent to remove traceable evidence of the dog's ownership.
(2) An individual who violates subsection (1) is responsible for a state civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $2,500.00.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the civil or criminal liability of an individual under any other applicable law of this state.
(4) As used in this section, “authorized agent” means an individual who has the permission of the owner of a dog to remove that dog's collar.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 70a, added by P.A.2016, No. 353, Eff. Jan. 20, 2017.
Sec. 158. Any person who shall commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.
P.A.1931, No. 328, § 158, Eff. Sept. 18.
P.A.1952, No. 73, § 1, Eff. Sept. 18.

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