Frequently Asked Questions

Section 8-33 of the City Code states: “No person shall keep or harbor any dog 4 months or older within the city without first obtaining a license from the Public Safety Department”.  Also, Section 8-32 states:  “Any person who shall permit any dog to remain about any premises owned or occupied by said person for a period of five days shall be deemed the owner of such dog for the purposes of this Code.”

You must obtain and present documentation that shows the dog has been properly immunized for rabies at the time of application for a license.  A dog license costs $10.00 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

You must obtain and present documentation that shows the dog has been properly immunized for rabies at the time of application for a license.  A dog license costs $10.00 and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

After thoroughly searching your property if you cannot locate your dog call the Public Safety

Department and inquire if we have had contact with or impounded your dog. If the Public Safety Department has no record of interacting with your dog you can call the Grosse Pointe Animal

Adoption Society at (313) 884-1551. There is always the possibility that a neighboring agency found and impounded your dog.

We will make every effort to contact you and/or re-secure your dog in your yard if possible, weather permitting. If we cannot do so, we will impound the dog.  We also try to post a note on our Facebook page when we have a dog.

Your dog will be temporarily kept at the Public Safety Department until it can be transferred to the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society for housing.  If your dog is still at the Department, you can claim your dog at the front desk.  If your dog has been transferred to GPAAS, you must pick up there dog at their facility and pay the applicable boarding and/or medical fees.

Yes. They are civil infractions for having an unlicensed dog (section 8-33) and for a dog running at large (Section 8-34).

For each of the above, the first offense is a $50 fine.  A second offence within 36 months of the first is a $100 fine. A third offense within 36 months of the first is a $150 fine.  A fourth offense within 36 months of the first will be considered a misdemeanor and can carry a fine of up to $500.

Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society will hold all unclaimed strays for 4 business days, not including the day the dog arrives, weekends or holidays. After this time has elapsed the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society will assess and determine if the animal will move to an adoption program. If the dog is determined to be too aggressive and a danger to staff, people or other animals will be humanely euthanized.