Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) are considered domestic animals if they are a non-red color according to this law.
"324.43101 Foxes in captivity as domestic animals; protection; construction of part.
Sec. 43101.
Silver, silver-black, black, and cross foxes, which of their nature, in the absence of efforts for their domestication, were known as wild, which are brought into or born in captivity upon a farm or ranch for the purpose of cultivating or pelting their furs, together with their offspring and increase, are domestic animals for the purpose of any statute or law relating generally to domestic animals, other than dogs and cats or other pets, or relating to farming or to animal husbandry or to the encouragement of agriculture, unless any such statute or law is impossible to apply to such fur-bearing animals. Such fur-bearing animals, together with their offspring and increase, are the subjects of ownership, lien, and all other property rights, in the same manner as purely domestic animals, in whatever situation, location, or condition the fur-bearing animals may be, and regardless of whether they remain in or escape from captivity. Such fur-bearing animals shall receive the same protection of law as, and in the same way and to the same extent are the subject of trespass or larceny as, other personal property. This part shall not be construed to include silver, silver-black, black, and cross foxes within the definition of livestock, or give any person any right to recovery for damage or destruction of the animal under the dog law of 1919, Act No. 339 of the Public Acts of 1919, being sections 287.261 to 287.290 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995."This law states that no person may enter your foxes' enclosure or the property surrounding it. It also states that it is illegal to harass, injure, or kill your fox.
"324.43103 Prohibited acts; trespass on premises; killing, trapping, injuring or disturbing fur-bearing animal; consent.
Sec. 43103.
Without the permission of the owner of a privately owned fur-bearing animal described in this part, a person shall not enter the enclosure within which the privately owned fur-bearing animal is kept, or trespass on private ground adjoining such an enclosure and knowingly annoy or disturb the animals. A person shall not knowingly and willfully kill, trap, or injure any fur-bearing animal owned by another person without the consent of the owner. However, a duly authorized peace or conservation officer may enter upon such premises in the performance of his or her regular duties.
History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995."According to this law, unless a city specifically bans foxes, non-red Red Foxes cannot be defined as wild animals. A city ban on wild animals cannot include non-red Red Foxes as those foxes are defined by state law to be domestic.
"117.4j City departments; special acts; municipal powers; permissible charter provisions.
Sec. 4-j.
Each city may in its charter provide:
...
(3) For the exercise of all municipal powers in the management and control of municipal property and in the administration of the municipal government, whether such powers be expressly enumerated or not; for any act to advance the interests of the city, the good government and prosperity of the municipality and its inhabitants and through its regularly constituted authority to pass all laws and ordinances relating to its municipal concerns subject to the constitution and general laws of this state."
To own a red Red Fox, you must obtain a permit and abide by these laws. Your permit and enclosure must be obtained prior to the purchase of your fox. Red Red Foxes are not considered domestic animals and would fall under captive wild animal law. Please contact the DNR and review your city laws before brining home a red Red Fox. Your city may ban wild animals and would therefore ban red Red Foxes.
"Enclosure size; badger, bobcat, fox, and raccoon.
(1) Badger, bobcat, fox, or raccoon:
(a) Single animal: 8 feet long by 6 feet wide by 6 feet high.
(b) For each additional animal, increase horizontal cage size by 24 square feet.
(c) Clawing logs and a den site 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet high required for each animal.
(d) A climbing tree with 3 or more 4-inch diameter branches shall be available for each raccoon or bobcat. A 14-inch by 36-inch protected shelf area shall be provided for each animal. Bobcat or raccoon platforms shall be at least 3 feet above the floor; fox and badger platforms shall be 1 foot above the floor."
Know the state law and your city ordinances to protect yourself from a potential law suit and to protect your fox from potential confiscation. Pet foxes that are confiscated for being illegal are either re-homed to a wildlife sanctuary or euthanized. Do not risk losing your fox by harboring it illegally. Keep a file of these laws and any city laws that pertain to fox ownership with you at all times. A set for the home, the enclosure, and for the car is a good start.
These laws stand as of this pages last edit: June 16th, 2013. State and city law change quite often. Please do your research prior to obtaining a fox.
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