Jeffrey v. Clinton Township

Plaintiffs brought this action seeking an injunction against enforcement of defendant township’s ordinance prohibiting the possession of certain enumerated exotic or wild animals. Plaintiffs own a cougar, which is prohibited by the ordinance. The trial court permanently enjoined the township from enforcing the ordinance against plaintiffs with respect to the cougar they presently own. We reverse.

According to plaintiffs’ complaint, they acquired a South American cougar kitten in November 1987. At that time, the pertinent township ordinance required that such animals be kept in a "suitable cage…