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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 Port Huron, there are laws that apply to dog owners. These can be found in the Port Huron City Ordinances. Specifically, they are as follows:
Sec. 8-41. Running at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or harboring any dog to suffer or permit the dog to run at large within the city limits. A dog on a leash or accompanied by its owner or custodian having reasonable control of such dog shall not be deemed to be running at large.
(Code 1975, § 6-20; Code 1992, § 5-36)
Sec. 8-7. Vicious animals.
Vicious dog or other animal means:
(1) Any dog or other animal with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals; or
(2) Any dog or other animal which attacks a human being or another domestic animal one or more times without provocation.
A dangerous dog or other animal does not include any of the following: (i) an animal that bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the animal's owner; (ii) an animal that bites or attacks a person who provokes or torments the animal; (iii) an animal that is responding in a manner that an ordinary and reasonable person would conclude was designed to protect a person if that person is engaged in a lawful activity or is the subject of an assault.
(b) No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal shall suffer or permit such dog or other animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person.
(c) No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal shall suffer or permit such dog or other animal to go beyond the premises of such person, unless such dog or other animal is securely leashed and muzzled or otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.
(d) Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, if a violation of this section occurs, the animal control officer or a police officer may issue an appearance ticket, citation or summons to the person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog or other animal and suffering or permitting such dog or other animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person. The penalty shall be punishment as prescribed in section 1-16. Each act of violation and every day upon which such violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense.
(Code 1975, § 6-25; Code 1992, § 5-41)
State law references: Dangerous animals, MCL 287.321 et seq.
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 Port Huron, you should request the Animal Control report at the following location:
Port Huron Police Department
100 McMorran Blvd
Port Huron, MI 48060
810-984-9710
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.
