Lansing Dog Bite Lawyers - Lee Steinberg Law Firm

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Lansing Dog Bite Lawyers

Getting attacked and bitten by a dog is a terrifying situation. The attack can leave scarring and emotional distress that lasts a lifetime. Sometimes, the powerful bite of a dog can cause permanent nerve damage and other injuries. Dog bites are serious and demand expert legal representation. The Lansing dog bite lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm handle dog attack cases every single day. Our lawyers have obtained millions for dog bite victims for decades.  

What is the Michigan Dog Bite Law? 

The Michigan dog bite law is found under MCL 287.351. Under the Michigan dog bite law, a dog owner is responsible for the injuries their dog causes due to a dog bite attack. This is a strict liability law. This means the judge and jury do not need to assess the negligence of the dog owner. If a dog bites a person, the dog owner is liable, even if the dog had never bitten a person before or showed dangerous propensities. 

However, there are two main defenses in dog bite cases, (1) provocation and (2) trespassing. Trespassing involves a person who is unlawfully on the dog owner’s property when bit by the dog. The trespasser is not protected under Michigan law. The more common defense is provocation. Although there is no formal definition of provocation, in general, the act must either be directed at the dog or the dog’s response must be proportional to the victim’s act  

Even if a person unintentionally provokes a dog, such as stepping on a dog’s tail, a dog owner can still argue provocation. This is why it is important to contact an aggressive Lansing dog bite lawyer if you are ever attacked by a dog. It is important to protect your rights.  

Medical Treatment After a Lansing Dog Bite

It is important to seek medical treatment after a Lansing dog bite attack. This is true even if the bite is superficial or a puncture wound. Dog saliva can be full of bacteria which can lead to serious infections if not properly treated. A visit to an area hospital or urgent care after a dog bite attack can prevent a minor injury from becoming a major health event. 

Most medical professionals will recommend a person take an antibiotic after a dog bite. A common antibiotic is Augmentin. They are usually taken in pill form. Stitches are not typically used anymore to treat an open dog bite wound because of the risk of infection. Instead, a dog bite victim is usually instructed to consistently clean and then bandage the wound sites.  

What Steps Should I Take After a Dog Bite Attack?

Dog bite attacks are extremely traumatic. It can be difficult to keep your wits about you. But if you or someone you know happens to be involved in an attack, it is important to follow these steps:

  1. Clean out the wound with soap and water. Better yet, use hydrogen peroxide if possible. This topical antiseptic is used in wound cleaning because it kills dangerous bacteria and pathogens. 
  2. Get medical treatment. Go to a local urgent care or hospital. Make sure the wounds are cleansed again and get an antibiotic prescription. It is important to take the antibiotic to prevent a dangerous infection. 
  3. Call the police or animal control. A local agency like the police or animal control must be aware of the attack. The agency or police will go to the dog owner’s home and check to see if the animal is up to date on its shots, especially Rabies shots. The dog must be held in quarantine for 10 days. Sometimes, the dog owner will surrender the dog, or the police will issue a ticket to the dog owner for harboring a dangerous animal. 
  4. Call an experienced Lansing dog bite lawyer. Every situation is different. It is important to know your rights. Call a Lansing dog bite law firm that regularly handles these cases and can answer your questions. 

Common Places Where Dog Bite Attacks Occur

Most dog bite attacks occur on the dog owner’s property. Although dogs are permitted to remain unleashed while on the owner’s property, their dog still cannot bite a person who is lawfully on the property, such as a delivery person, postal worker, neighbor, or friend.

Other common places where dog bite attacks occur include:

  • The sidewalk near the dog owner’s home
  • The street the dog owner lives on 
  • A neighborhood park
  • A recreational area, such as a camping ground 
  • Inside or around a car 
  • A shopping area like a strip mall 

What Are the Dog Ordinances in Lansing? 

The City of Lansing has its own set of dog ordinances. 

Section 610.02 prohibits dogs from roaming at large and not having a leash: 

  1. no dog owner shall permit his or her dog to run at large within the City. A dog running at large in violation of this chapter at least twice within any continuous six-month period of time is hereby deemed to be a nuisance.
  1. A dog owner is required to confine or secure his or her dog within the limits of the owner’s premises, except when the dog is securely tethered on a leash and under the control of a person holding the leash who is capable of restraining the dog at all times.

Ingham County also has its own set of ordinances for dog owners. Under Section 1, the owner of any dog shall be deemed in violation of this Ordinance and shall be held strictly criminally liable for these offenses, regardless of the owner’s knowledge, intent, or negligence, and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Article X if:

(d) The owner’s dog at any time, whether licensed or unlicensed, wearing a collar or not wearing a collar, attacks or bites a person, regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.

What are Typical Injuries from a Lansing Dog Bite Attack?

The injuries from a dog bite attack can vary. Naturally, there can be puncture wounds and bite marks. Often, the dog’s strong teeth will pierce through the skin and tear apart muscles and nerves. This can cause permanent nerve injuries. Because it is human instinct to fight off a dog with your hands or legs, these areas are the most susceptible to bad injuries. 

Other common injuries are facial injuries and facial scars. This is particularly true for small children who are closer to the ground and within reach of a dog’s mouth. 

Ingham County Animal Control

If you are attacked by a dog while in Lansing or Ingham County, it is important to contact Ingham County Animal Control. The main phone number is 517-676-8370. Animal Control is located at 600 Buhl Street, Mason, MI 48854. 

The county provides a way to report an incident online or by emailing to reportanimalcruelty@ingham.org. If you are the victim of a dog bite attack in Mason, Holt, Webberville, Williamston,  Haslett, or Okemos, make sure to contact Ingham County Animal Control immediately to report the attack. That way the county will check on the offending dog for updated Rabies shots and other vaccinations. It also makes the dog owner quarantine the animal or take further corrective actions. 

Call Us Today – Our Lansing, MI Dog Bite Lawyers Are Ready to Meet You

When you’ve suffered injuries from a dog bite attack in Lansing, MI, you are probably traumatized and angry. The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet with you and strongly represent you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve under the law.
Call us at 1-800-LEE-FREE for a free consultation or fill out a contact form today. We never charge anything until we win your case.