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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 Grandville, there are laws that apply to dog owners. These can be found in the Grandville City Ordinances. Specifically, they are as follows:
Sec. 5-5. Control of dogs, cats, other animals and fowl; violation as civil infraction.
(a) No person owning, possessing or having charge of any dog or cat shall allow such dog or cat to be at large or stray beyond the premises of such person unless such dog or cat is held properly in leash, meaning a physical restraint not more than eight (8) feet in length, or unless such dog or cat is engaged in lawful hunting or hunting practice and accompanied by a person.
(Ord. No. 159, § 10, eff. 9-29-78; Ord. No. 216, § 5, eff. 6-16-95)
Sec. 5-11. Dangerous animals.
(a) A "dangerous animal" is any animal, including dogs, cats, fowl, or other domesticated or nondomesticated animal, that bites or attacks a person, or an animal that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another animal while the other animal is on the property or under the control of its owner, or known to be of such similar disposition as to be dangerous to persons or property; except that a dangerous animal does not include any of the following:
(1) An animal that bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the person owning, possessing or having charge of the animal;
(2) An animal that bites or attacks a person who provokes or torments the animal;
(3) An animal that is responding in a manner that an ordinary and responsible person would conclude was designed to protect a person if that person is engaged in a lawful activity or is subject to an assault;
(4) Livestock, meaning an animal being used for human food or fiber or animal being used for services to human beings; livestock does not include animals that are human companions, such as dogs and cats.(b) No person owning, possessing or having charge of a dangerous animal shall permit or allow such animal to be at large in the city unless it is securely muzzled and led by a leash or housed in a permanent enclosure, not accessible to the public, that is locked at all times.
(c) A person owning, possessing or having charge of a dangerous animal who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to further sanctions as provided by Public Act 426 of Public Acts of 1989, being MCL 287.321 et seq., which may include quarantine, placing permanent identification markings on the animal, enhanced fencing and enclosures, sterilization, maintenance of public liability insurance, destruction of the animal, or other appropriate action to protect the public.
(Ord. No 216, § 8, eff. 6-16-95)
State law references: Dogs attacking or biting persons, MCL 287.286a, 287.288, 287.351, MSA 12.537, 12.539, 12.544; rules for control of rabies and the disposition of nonhuman agents carrying disease, including rabid animals, MCL 333.5111, MSA 14.15(5111).
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 Grandville, you should request the Animal Control report at the following location:
Grandville Police Department
3181 Wilson Ave SW
Grandville, MI 49468
(616) 538-6110
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.
