East Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer – Vicious Animal Attack

Dog Bite Laws in the East Chicago, Indiana

An unprovoked bite by a dog or cat does not necessarily mean that the dog or cat is dangerous or vicious. In the United States, all dogs and house cats, regardless of breed or size, are presumed to be harmless domestic animals. This presumption can be overcome with proof of a dangerous propensity as demonstrated by specific conduct of that particular animal.  A dangerous propensity is the tendency of an animal to act to endanger the safety of people or other animals. Depending on the facts of a dog or cat bite case, that dog’s or cat’s biting of a person can be used as evidence of that animal’s viciousness.

The City of East Chicago has decided that bit pull dogs are a dangerous animal that presents a real danger to the citizens of that community.  According to ordinance number 3453; section 5-41 Liability: “Every owner of a Pit Bull, shall at all times maintain in full force and effect a liability insurance policy of $1,000,000 during the time he/she has the dog. The dog must, at all times, be confined indoors or in a securely and enclosed/locked pen with either a top or sides six feet high. If the dog is not confined it should be muzzled and kept on a leash with the owner or custodian in attendance.”  The City of East Chicago further requires under §90.103 CONFINEMENT OF PIT BULLS that (A) Because of the pit bull’s inbred propensity to attack other animals, and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull when running loose or while running together in a pack situation, pit bulls must at all times be securely confined indoors, or confined in a securely and totally enclosed or locked pen, with either a top or with sides six feet high. (B) At any time that a pit bull is not confined as required in division (A) above of this section, the dog shall be muzzled in a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal, and kept on a leash with the owner or custodian in attendance.  (C) An exception to this section is provided for any pit bull in attendance at, and participating in, any lawful dog show, contest or exhibition sponsored by a dog club, association, society or similar organization.  (D) An exception to this section is provided for any pit bull when the dog is actually engaged in the sport of hunting in authorized areas and supervised by a competent person.

The City of East Chicago defines RESTRAINT of an animal as controlled by a leash, at heel beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s commands, on or within the property limits of the owner or keeper of that animal.

Under § 90.008 INJURING PROPERTY OF OTHERS.  The City of East Chicago states that it is unlawful for any person having charge, care and custody of any dog or animal to permit or suffer the same to escape or go upon any private lands or premises or to browse upon, trample upon or otherwise mangle, eat, injure, break or destroy any lawn, parkway, flower bed, plant, tree, flower, shrubbery or other lawn or house decoration of another without permission of the owner of the premises.

Under §90.045 RESTRAINT GENERALLY. The City of East Chicago states that owners shall keep his or her dog under restraint at all times and shall not permit the dog to be at large, off the premises or property of the owner, unless under the control of a competent person. The owner shall confine within a building or secure enclosure every dog of fierce, dangerous or vicious propensities and not take a dog out of the building or secure enclosure.

Under §90.046 DOGS IN PARKS PROHIBITED.  The City of East Chicago does not allow any person to bring or lead any dog in city parks.

Under §90.047 CARE OF DOGS KEPT OUTSIDE.  The City of East Chicago states that dogs which are kept outside must be kept within a fenced enclosure of sufficient structure to keep the dog confined therein at all times or, if no fenced enclosure is provided, the dog shall be tied on a rope or chain of sufficient strength of not less than 12 feet in length. The dog shall be provided with a sturdy doghouse to protect the dog from weather, with sufficient bedding and ample supply of food and water every day. The premises at all times shall be kept clean and in sanitary condition so that there shall not be any offal, filth or offensive smells to be collected or remain in or about the premises to the danger or prejudice of others or the public.

Under §90.048 NUISANCES DECLARED.  The City of East Chicago states that any dog is declared to be a nuisance which: (A) Shall cause serious annoyance or disturbance to the neighborhood or any of the residents therein by its loud, frequent, habitual or continued barking, howling or yelping; or (B) Demonstrates aggressive or vicious propensities or temperament, bites or injures a person or other animal.

How an East Chicago Dog Bite Attorney Can Help with Your Dog Bite Injury Claim

If you, or a loved one, has suffered a dog or cat bite injury due to the negligence of dog or cat owner/keeper, it is important that you seek the advice of a qualified lawyer who understands the law and possesses the skill to ensure that you get justice you deserve for your loss. Do not waste your one and only opportunity to receive just compensation for your injury case by hiring the wrong lawyer. Get a lawyer that is experienced, highly rated and certified to represent you and/or your family. Get Gladish.

How a City of East Chicago Dog Bite Attorney Can Help with Your Dog Bite Injury Claim

At Gladish Law Group, we have experience handling City of East Chicago dog bite cases, bringing a wealth of knowledge to each claim. Our legal team is well-versed in the specific nuances of City of East Chicago, Indiana’s dog bite laws, ensuring that you receive skillful guidance tailored to your case.

We recognize that a dog bite incident is not just a legal matter but a personal and often traumatic experience. Our team at Gladish Law Group takes a compassionate and personalized approach to each case, providing the support and understanding you need during this challenging time.

You can trust Gladish Law Group to stand by your side, advocating for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.

Indiana Dog Bite Law

Indiana has specific laws that govern dog bite cases. The state covers them under strict liability statutes.

The key points include:

• Strict Liability: Indiana follows a strict liability approach, meaning that a dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of the dog’s history of aggression or the owner’s knowledge of such behavior.
• Leash Laws: In some municipalities, there may be local leash laws that require owners to keep their dogs on a leash in public spaces. Violating these laws could strengthen a case against the dog owner.
• One-Bite Rule: While Indiana has strict liability, it also recognizes the one-bite rule. If the dog has shown aggressive behavior in the past and the owner knew about it, this could strengthen your case.
• Comparative Fault: Indiana follows a comparative fault system, which means that if the injured person is partially responsible for the incident, their compensation may decrease based on the percentage of fault assigned to them.

Consult an experienced dog bite lawyer in Lake County, Indiana, to navigate the specifics of your case and understand how these laws may apply to your situation. As a firm based in Lake County, Indiana, Gladish Law Group has a deep understanding of the local community and its unique dynamics. This local insight allows us to navigate the legal landscape more effectively and build strong cases that resonate with local judges and juries.

About East Chicago, Indiana

The City of East Chicago is located in Northwest Indiana and was incorporated in 1893 as a city. The name of the city is due to its location east of the City of Chicago.  The City of East Chicago has a stable population of nearly 30,000 with a balanced mixture of heavy industrial, commercial and residential properties.  The City of East Chicago has a long history of both industrial production as well as political corruption.  During WW I, the City of East Chicago became commonly referred to as the “Arsenal of America” with the South-Shore Railroad becoming commonly known as “Workshop of America.”  The reason for these names was mainly due to the fact that a large number of steel mills were located there which included: Republic Steel, Youngstown Steel, LaSalle Steel, and U.S. Steel.  The City of East Chicago is run by a mayor as well as a 9-member city council with East Chicago’s City Hall being located at 4527 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, Indiana.

The City of East Chicago still has its own court known as the East Chicago City Court which is located in at 2301 E. Columbus Drive, East Chicago, Indiana.  The East Chicago City Court hears a limited number of cases that included: certain misdemeanors, tickets/infractions and ordinance violations.