Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement

Animal Services Officers (ASOs) issue citations or can file criminal charges for a large number of offenses.

The most common citations issued are for the following:

1. Dog at Large
2. Failure to Buy/Provide Proof of Dog License
3. Failure to Rabies Vaccinate
4. Failure to Wear Dog License
5. Livestock at Large

Citations are written at the discretion of the responding ASO as determined on a case-by-case basis, and can be issued at the request of the person who filed the complaint with KCASE. If an officer feels a citation is inadequate, criminal charges can be filed.

Most citations can be handled at the KCASE office. The ASO who issues the citation will explain how to handle it at the time it is issued. For citations requiring a court appearance, please appear in court no later than the date and time on your citation. It is your responsibility to understand where and how your citation can be taken care of. Failure to properly handle your citation could result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

Criminal charges can be filed for both Misdemeanors and Felonies. In nearly all instances, you will be notified if charges are going to be filed against you, however you may not know if a warrant has been authorized. If you feel that you may have a warrant for your arrest, please call KCASE or Kalamazoo County Courts to inquire. Once a warrant is authorized, it can take up to 7 days for the warrant to be available in the LEIN system. Your warrant must be active in LEIN in order for you to turn yourself in at the Kalamazoo County Jail. You may turn yourself in at any time, 24 hours a day. Failure to turn yourself in could result in your arrest at any time you make contact with law enforcement.

Understanding Your Citation

Click here for the UNDERSTANDING YOUR CITATION worksheet.