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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 Portage, there are laws that apply to dog owners. These can be found in the Portage City Ordinances. Specifically, they are as follows:
Sec. 10-35. Running at large.
(a) No person shall permit any vicious dog of which he is the owner, caretaker or custodian to be unconfined unless securely muzzled and led by a leash. A dog shall be deemed vicious if it has bitten a person or domestic animal without molestation, or if it is a dog which, by its actions, gives indication that it is liable to bite a person or domestic animal without molestation.
(b) No person owning, possessing or having charge of a dog shall permit such dog to be at large at anytime in the city in violation of state law.
(Min. Bk. 1969, p. 456, Vol. 2, 4-15-1969; Code 1967, § 2 1/2-14; Code 1983, § 610.06(d)(1), (3); Ord. No. 0013, 10-17-2000)
Sec. 10-36. Noisy animals; nuisance animals; confinement of animals exposed to rabies.
(a) No person shall own, harbor or keep a dog which, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, causes annoyance to the people in the neighborhood.
(b) No person shall own, harbor or keep a dog that has been bitten by an animal known to have been or reasonably suspected of having been afflicted with rabies at the time such dog was bitten, unless such dog has been surrendered to the dog warden, held for observation and released only when satisfactory proof exists that the dog does not have rabies.
(c) No person shall own, harbor or keep a dog, either licensed or unlicensed, that, by the destruction of property or trespassing on the property of others, becomes a nuisance in the vicinity where kept.
(Min. Bk. 1969, p. 456, Vol. 2, 4-15-1969; Code 1967, § 2 1/2-15; Code 1983, § 610.06(e))
Cross references: Noise generally, § 24-91 et seq.
Sec. 10-37. Confinement of biting dogs.
A dog that bites a person or animal shall be securely confined by the owner, keeper, custodian or person in charge thereof in an appropriate building or enclosure for a minimum of ten days following the biting. If such owner, keeper, custodian or person in charge fails to securely confine the dog for such period of time, a police officer may take possession and custody of such dog and confine it at the county dog pound or another appropriate shelter until the expiration of such ten-day period or until satisfactory evidence exists that the dog is not suffering from rabies. The dog shall be kept at the expense of the owner, keeper, custodian or person in charge thereof. A dog running loose after biting a person or animal, whose owner or keeper or custodian cannot be determined, shall be kept and confined for ten days at the county dog pound or other appropriate shelter in accordance with this article and thereafter disposed of in accordance therewith or with such regulations as are in effect at the county dog pound.
(Min. Bk. 1969, p. 456, Vol. 2, 4-15-1969; Code 1967, § 2 1/2-20; Code 1983, § 610.06(g))
State law references: Dogs attacking or biting persons, MCL 287.286a, 287.288, 287.351, MSA 12.537, 12.539, 12.544.
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 Portage, you should request the Animal Control report at the following location:
Portage Police Department
7810 Shaver Road
Portage, MI 49024
269-329-4560
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.
