shiawasseecounty.net

DOG LAW OF 1919 (EXCERPT)
Act 339 of 1919

287.266 Dog licenses; application; resolution; provisions; proof of vaccination.
Sec. 6.
(5) …………………….. The county board of commissioners may set license fees in the county budget at a level sufficient to pay all the county's expenses of administering this act as it pertains to dogs.

Can anybody tell me what this means. I know, it looks like I'm trolling, but I'm serious.

Sure! The commissioners don't want to use any of the taxpayer's money to cover any of the costs of implementing the licensing of dogs. I am not trolling but you may be. I'll wait for your response.
The only way they would know the cost is to go by previous year's expenses then base the coming year's fees accordingly. I'm sorry, but I am not a dog owner and haven't been for a number of years but no one seemed willing to answer you Kay so here is my best shot.

Thx for the reply Fritz. That is kinda how I read it, but others seem to have a different opinion.
I'm just trying to figure how they come up with it. I'll give it a bit more time, only 15 hits, so far.

They can't explain if they haven't read it yet.

I'm reading it the same as you and Fritz.

I agree with Fritz, but I note that I don't know if the wording means they can or can't charge an unreasonable amount more than what they need to cover their expenses as it pertains to dogs. I would also note that it doesn't mention cats. Which will sound funny to some of you, since it's the dog law, but it seems to me that Kaylor & I have talked about this (or it's on kaylor's blog ... I can't remember) ... where expenses for cats are paid by $$ from dog licensing.

What expenses for cats? Cats are independent, come and go as they please, where they please, at any speed they please. They don't need a license, shots, headlights, taillights nor turn signals. They scratch or lick any part of their body they wish, wherever they happen to be and in front of whomever happens to be there. If they have no immediate concerns about food or warmth, they will ignore you completely. When they want something they will rub against your leg purring softly or hop up in your lap and snuggle contentedly. If a burglar breaks into your house, the cat will watch while they carry out your possessions and may even hold the flashlight. If there are ten people in a room and only one is a cat hater, the cat will go directly to that person and snuggle up to them and purr, knowing full well the cat hater will not harm him in front of witnesses. Cats can sleep for hours and change positions with seemingly great difficulty and often only when the sun spot moves across the room as the sun passes along its zenith. Cats! Who needs them? I'd rather have a or a .

Doesn't animal control have to deal with cats too?

I don't remember, but it seems like this was an issue at some point.

I may be wrong but I don't think so! He is called the Dog Catcher not Cat catcher.
No no no no! Animal Control Officer. I guess that includes lions tigers and bears! Depending upon where one lives. Neat story on Anchorage Alaska on History Channel(?) about an animal control officer that does have to deal with Moose and Bears that take up residency in and around the city. I guess I won't complain any more about deer nibbling my shrubs this winter. Grizzlies and Moose can do WWAAAAAYYYY more damage!!!

As worded, it's allowing only a 'user fee', meant to concentrate the costs of administering the act on those who license dogs, as opposed to spreading the cost over all citizens whether they obtain dog licenses or not.

In 1919, cats were still properly regarded as a diet and nutrition item as opposed to being considered a 'pet' as dogs properly are, and accordingly received no mention.

The cat is nature's way of showing us that not everything has a purpose.

Hey, someone needs to take up for the cats! My cats my not have a purpose, but they certainly appear more purposeful than my dogs! I love them all, but cats are just way cooler - 'they' say dogs are smart, but to me dogs are pretty dumb acting just by the very nature of wanting to please, standing around all goofy (at least mine) and following commands. I'm sure my cats could if they wanted to, they just choose not to and to be an individual in my opinion takes a lot more smarts than being a follower or a 'people-pleaser'. I definitely appreciate my dogs loyalty and unwaivering love for me, but a cat is just too cool! As far as I know I do believe Animal Control also handles 'cat calls' - at least where I used to live if a complaint came in on strays or feral cats they often would do live traps in the area -

If you live on a farm with barns full of hay and feed, cats serve a rodent control purpose. They do a very good job of reducing the number of mice and rats. Cats as companions for lonely people work better that most dogs, when the person is not interested in providing for the emotional needs of the animal. Dogs need a lot more attention from their owners than cats do, and cause a lot more problems when they don't get that attention. There is even a show on TV called the Dog Whisperer, that deals with training humans to be more attentive to the needs of their dogs. These people always think the dog has a problem, when it is usually the owner that has a problem.

If cat's were regarded as a diet and nutrition item they did have a purpose. My dog actually finds them rather entertaining .... for a couple seconds anyway.. then their lack of activity makes them boring.

OoM my neighbor likes it when his barn cats stroll over here. He has the opinion that enough is enough but will not harm them himself..

Zoltar do you know what your cats do when your not looking?

I find mice and rats to be far better company than cats. Cats, of course, suck the breath from sleeping babies, unlock doors and windows for burglars, plus you never see a dog at the heels of a witch.

DOG LAW OF 1919

Act 339 of 1919

AN ACT relating to dogs and the protection of live stock and poultry from damage by dogs; providing for the licensing of dogs; regulating the keeping of dogs, and authorizing their destruction in certain cases; providing for the determination and payment of damages done by dogs to live stock and poultry; imposing powers and duties on certain state, county, city and township officers and employes, and to repeal Act No. 347 of the Public Acts of 1917, and providing penalties for the violation of this act.


History: 1919, Act 339, Eff. Aug. 14, 1919
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 300 of 2008