Petition to Demand that Detroit Revise its Animal Welfare Ordinances

Attention: Mary Sheffield, Crystal Perkins, Kurmmell Knox, Rachel Williams, Carl McClanahan, Val Charleston, Piper Williams-Falkner, and Jenetra Chandler

The general public is outraged at the recent deaths of two dogs in Detroit named Buddy and Weather. Both dogs were tethered 24/7 in yards and neglected by their owners. Both dogs were tended to by outreach and rescue groups in Detroit that checked on the dogs, provided food and supplies, and made reports to Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC). During extremely hot temperatures in the last week, both dogs suffered unimaginable deaths in the heat due to neglect by their owners and DACC.

Management at the City of Detroit General Services Department and Detroit Animal Care and Control must act now.

The city currently lacks strong, specific, and enforceable ordinances to protect pets left outdoors during extreme weather or confined outside for extended periods. Without clear laws and consistent enforcement, animals remain vulnerable to neglect, suffering, and preventable death.

Detroit can follow the example of the City of Eastpointe, where stronger animal welfare ordinances have created clear standards for care and better protections for pets. Similar measures in Detroit would help ensure animals are not left to suffer in dangerous heat, freezing cold, or unsafe outdoor conditions.

We are calling on Detroit city officials to adopt and enforce stronger ordinances that protect pets from neglect, extreme weather, and unsafe confinement.

Proposed Ordinance Protections:

We urge Detroit to adopt ordinances that include the following:

- Pets may not be left outside for more than 30 minutes when temperatures are below 32°F or above 82°F.

- Pets may not be left unattended outdoors between 11 PM and 7 AM.

- Pets may not live outdoors, in sheds, garages, or other unsafe structures.

- Citations should be issued for violations, with repeat offenses leading to possible removal of the animal pending a forfeiture hearing.

- Violations should require mandatory court appearances.

- Convicted offenders may be publicly identified to deter future neglect.

Possible Violations and Citations

Citations may include, per pet:

- Animal neglect

- Leaving an animal outside in unsafe weather

- Leaving a dog unattended outside overnight

- Persistent barking or nuisance violations

- Failure to license a dog

- Public nuisance or sanitation violations

Enforcement and Animal Control Authority

Animal control officers should have the authority to remove or impound animals when they are:

- In imminent danger

- Unlicensed

- Not under reasonable control

- Causing a noise or sanitation nuisance

- Showing signs of illness, injury, rabies exposure, or suffering

- Deemed unsafe or at risk for health or welfare reasons

No person should interfere with animal control officers performing their duties.

Reporting Violations

To support enforcement, residents should be able to report violations with:

- The address of the incident

- A description of what is happening

- The date, time, and duration of the violation

- Timestamped photos or videos whenever possible

Reports may be submitted to Detroit Animal Care and Control through phone (313) 922-DOGS (6347), voicemail, email, or official city communication channels. Detroit Animal Care and Control will respond to all reports made on animals in the order in which they are received and/or those reports deemed urgent if the animal is in a life-threatening situation. 

Call to Action

By signing this petition, we demand that Detroit take immediate action to protect pets from extreme weather, neglect, and unsafe living conditions.

Every signature sends a clear message to Detroit city officials: our community wants stronger laws, real enforcement, and accountability for those who neglect animals.

Buddy and Weather would not have died with proper and consistent enforcement of current city ordinances. Let’s ensure this does not happen again. Sign this petition to help create a safer, more humane Detroit for all animals.

Please contact these Detroit city officials regarding any concerns you have about animal welfare in Detroit:

Mary Sheffield, Mayor

mayor@detroitmi.gov

Crystal Perkins, Director of the City of Detroit General Services Department

perkinsc@detroitmi.gov 

Kurmmell Knox, Deputy Director of General Services for the City of Detroit 

knoxk@detroitmi.gov 

Rachel Wiliams, Director of Detroit Animal Care and Control

rachel.williams@detroimi.gov