Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

Animal Cruelty

I have a dog that got out of the house for about 5 minutes and he nipped a a boy who livs in our mobile home park, well the local police took him to hold him for 10 days to make sure he didn't have rabies. On the 7th day the police called and said they wanted us to come and pick up our dog because he looked ill, when we took him to the vet after we picked him up the vet said he had contracted parvo, a deadly disease to dogs. We are in the process of trying to save his life and it is costing almost $1000.00, with no guarantee he will survive. I would like to know if we have any legal means of getting the police dept to pay the vet bill. The kennel they held our dog in was filthy, dirty and stunk. Our dog also had no water in his cage when we picked him up. Please Help.


Asked on 3/30/04, 1:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Animal Cruelty

Your dog should have been vacinated against Parvo by the vet. The reason that they held your dog is because you did not have him vacinated against rabies. Those two facts will destroy any claim that you had against the cops. Furthermore, the cops have governmental immunity making it virtually impossible for them to be sued unless they are grossly negligent. Also, the intubation period for Parvo may be more than 10 days, meaning that the dog contracted Parvo prior to him being taken by the police. William S. Stern 248-353-9400

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Answered on 3/30/04, 2:55 pm


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