When dogs owned by Michigan residents injure victims, owners can be charged with a felony crime. However, a ruling reached on Wednesday by the Michigan Court of Appeals clarifies some of the stipulations that must be met for felony charges to be filed in connection with Michigan Dog Bite Injuries.
An article from MLive.com explains the decision stems from a case that began in early May 2012, when a man’s dog attacked a child. The young victim suffered bite wounds to the face, arms, and legs.
Prosecutors were seeking to charge the man with a felonious count of owning a dangerous animal, after the dog’s master had told a neighbor the animal had bitten him before. The dog also reportedly lunged at officers when they went to ensure the animal was being quarantined.
Prosecutors were instructed they must prove the dog’s owner had prior knowledge of the dangers posed by the animal in order to charge him with a felony. Judges wrote that all dogs are inherently dangerous and an injury resulting from a bite should not necessarily warrant the owner facing a felony charge.
The Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers with Michigan Injury Lawyers recognize the complexities surrounding Michigan dog bite law. The firm is here to help answer any questions an individual who is a victim of a dog attack may have.