Toll-Free: (800) 606-1717
Phone: (248) 569-4646
We often represent clients injured by dog bite and attacks. These often result in serious injuries and require medical treatment. We have obtained significant settlements for clients injured in these dog bite attacks.
Many cities and counties have ordinances regarding dogs and the responsibilities of dog owners. An owner or keeper of a dog who violates of these ordinances can be held liable for damages in a civil lawsuit to a dog bite victim. The ordinances can be used to prove a case in addition to other Michigan dog bite laws.
In Berkley, there are laws that apply to dog owners. These can be found in the Berkley City Ordinances. Specifically, they are as follows:
Sec. 22-45. Rabies prevention and control.
No person shall own or harbor a vicious dog or cat or a dog or cat that has been bitten by any animal known to be afflicted with rabies. Any person who shall have in his possession a dog or cat which has contracted, or is suspected of having contracted, rabies, or which has been bitten by any animal known to have been afflicted with rabies, shall, upon demand of the health officer, or any public safety officer or designated authority of the city, produce and surrender such dog or cat to the health department or public safety department of the city to be held for observation or treatment. With the approval of the health department, any such dog or cat may instead be surrendered to a registered veterinarian, or to any approved nonprofit corporation organized for the purpose of sheltering dog and cats. It shall be the duty of any person owning or harboring a dog or cat which has been attacked or bitten by another dog, cat or other animal showing the symptoms of rabies to immediately notify the public safety department that such person has such dog or cat in his possession. Whenever a dog or cat is brought to the pound for having bitten a person, the animal warden or other duly authorized officer may, if deemed necessary and advisable, and after holding such dog or cat a sufficient length of time to meet the requirements of the health department for investigation, cause such dog or cat to be destroyed as a vicious dog or cat.
(Code 1981, § 5-20)
Sec. 22-48. Damages incurred by.
Every owner of a dog or cat shall be liable for damages for any and all injuries to person or property that may be caused by such dog or cat on any public highway or other public place to be determined and collected in appropriate legal proceedings, in which proceedings any failure or refusal by such owner to comply with the requirements of this article shall constitute prima facie evidence of negligence.
(Code 1981, § 5-23)
Quite often, the victim of the attack files a report with either the local police or local Animal Control agency. When a report is filed, it is necessary to obtain report. Our firm routinely obtains these for our clients.
For a report filed with the Police Department in Berkley, you should request the Animal Control report at the following location:
Berkley Police Department
2395 12 Mile Rd
Berkley, MI 48072
248-541-9000
If you would like more information about your rights after a Dog Bite attack, you can order our FREE book, "The Ultimate Michigan Dog Bite and Animal Attack Handbook" by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.
We will represent you in your Michigan dog bite case under our NO FEE PROMISE. This means that you will not be charged any legal fees whatsoever unless we obtain a settlement or recovery for you. You have absolutely no obligation for legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not obtain a settlement for you, you owe us nothing!
It is important that you contact a Michigan dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after the attack to give you the best chance of winning your case. There are also strict time limits for filing dog bite cases in Michigan. For the best chance to win your case, call our Michigan dog bite attorneys now at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.
