Lowell, Indiana Dog Bite Lawyer – Vicious Animal Attack

Dog Bite Laws in Lowell, 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.

Lowell’s ordinance defines an “animal” as any living vertebrate, domestic or wild, not including man.

Lowell’s ordinance defines “at large” as an animal off the premises of the owner and not under the control of the owner or a member of his immediate family either by leash, cord, chain or otherwise.

Lowell’s ordinance defines a “dangerous or vicious animal” as any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals, or any animal which is known to have attacked or injured a person or other animal on a previous occasion, or any animal which has known vicious propensities.

Lowell’s ordinance defines an “owner” as any person owning, keeping, harboring or having possession, care or custody of a dog or other animal.

Lowell’s ordinance defines a “stray animal” as any animal not secured by a leash or lead and under the immediate control of its owner or a responsible person, and for which after a reasonable search, no owner can be ascertained.

Lowell ordinance § 92.08 RUNNING-AT-LARGE PROHIBITED; NOTICE AND RECORD OF VIOLATION states:   (A) It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to suffer or permit such animal to run at large at any time. The issuance of a license shall be on the condition that the dog for which the license is issued shall not be allowed to run at large. All dogs shall be confined to the owner’s property except at such time when under the proper and personal supervision of the owner, a member of his family, or person delegated by him.

(B) In every case in which it is brought to the attention of the Police Department that any licensed dog is running-at-large, it shall be the Department’s duty to investigate the matter and obtain all pertinent information including names and addresses of witnesses, if any. The Police Department shall then record, in a registry book kept for such purpose, the license tag number, the name, breed and sex of the dog, the name and address of the owner, the date, and a brief statement of the pertinent information disclosed by the Department’s investigation. The Police Department shall thereupon notify the owner thereof of the fact that his dog was at large.

Lowell ordinance § 92.19 ANIMAL BITES states:

(A) It shall be unlawful for anyone knowing that a person or animal has been bitten by another animal to fail to immediately notify the Police Department of such bite.

(B) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner of any animal which has bitten any other animal or person to immediately notify the Police Department of such bite, and to immediately confine such animal.

Lowell ordinance § 92.20 ANIMALS CREATING A NUISANCE states:

(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow his or her animal to become a public nuisance.

(B) An animal is hereby declared to be a public nuisance if it: (1) Frequently or continuously causes noise or odor which disturbs the comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, apartment house, or residence; (2) Molests or chases passers-by or passing vehicles; (3) Is at large; (4) Attacks other persons or animals;      (5) Damages private or public property; or (6) Deposits animal waste on public or private property other than that of the owner.

(C) It shall be unlawful for an owner to have, keep or maintain a farm animal, including but not limited to cattle, horses, sheep, swine, lambs, goats, poultry or other animals generally considered indigenous to agriculture, except as specifically allowed and provided for in this chapter.

(D) It shall be unlawful for any owner to have, keep or maintain more than four animals on any parcel of land.

How a Lowell Dog Bite Attorney Can Help with Your Dog Bite Injury Claim

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

The Town of Lowell is located in the central part of Lake County, Indiana, but is still in fairly close proximity to the City of Chicago via interstate 65 connecting with 80/94.  The Town of Lowell has a small-town atmosphere.  The Town of Lowell was founded in 1852 and has a current population of over 10,000 residents.  The Town of Lowell is named after its sister city of Lowell, Massachusetts.

The Town of Lowell has a town council that is comprised of 5 members, each elected to 4-year terms. Lowell also has a town manager who ensures that the town runs smoothly.  Lowell’s Town Hall is located at 501 E Main Street, Lowell, Indiana.