Hammond, Indiana Dog Bite Lawyer – Vicious Animal Attack

Dog Bite Laws in the City of Hammond

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.

Further, the City of Hammond has ordinances that can be used to show that the owner of the dog or animal that bites a person was negligence.  Here are some of them:

Under Chapter 91 of the City of Hammond’s ordinances, the owner or keeper of animals and pets are required to do the following:

For every dangerous animal that is being kept in the City Hammond, the owner or keeper shall be confined within a structure or secured enclosure along with the animal being securely muzzled and/or placed in a cage whenever off the owner’s or keeper’s premises.

Any owner or keeper of an animal who leaves their animal unattended for over 48 hours shall be guilty of abandonment of that animal.

The owner or keeper of an animal shall keep that animal under restraint, along with female dogs and cats in season being confined in a structure or secured enclosure that does not allow the female dog or cat to come into contact with another animal or person.

Owner or keeper of dogs, cats and nuisance animals that are allowed to be unrestrained shall be impounded with the impounded dogs and cats being kept for no less than 3 working days.  The owner or keeper of dogs and cats must ensure that these animals wear an identification tag/collar at all times when off the owner’s or keeper’s premises. No owner or keeper of a dog or cat shall fail to exercise proper care and control of their animals to prevent these animals from becoming a public nuisance in the City of Hammond.

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

At Gladish Law Group, we have experience handling City of Hammond dog bite cases, bringing a wealth of knowledge to each claim. Our legal team is well-versed in the specific nuances of City of Hammond, 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 Hammond, Indiana

The City of Hammond is located in Northwest Indiana.  The City of Hammond has a stable population in excess 80,000 with a balanced mixture of both commercial and residential properties.  The City of Hammond has surpassed the City of Gary as the most populace city in Lake County, Indiana and is also the 5th largest city in the State of Indiana.  The City of Hammond is run by a mayor as well as a 9-member city council with Hammond’s City Hall being located at 5925 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, Indiana.

The City of Hammond has the Hammond Civic Center which is home to a wide variety of events including: music concerts, 219 Days, family events as well as numerous sporting events.  The City of Hammond put on an event called the “Festival of the Lakes” which occurs every July at the Wolf Lake Memorial Park, Hammond, Indiana.  This festival brings in well-known musical acts that include: rock, rap, alternative and country music which draw thousands of people every year.

The City of Hammond decided several years ago to get rid of the Hammond City Court which was located in the Hammond City Hall building. The Hammond City Court used to hear a limited number of cases that included: certain misdemeanors, tickets/infractions and ordinance violations, but these cases now go to the county division of the Lake Superior Court system.