A third-grader in Warren was bitten by a large dog while riding his bicycle.  Matthew Butzu, 9, told WDIV-TV that the dog's owner fled with the dog after the incident. Matthew was on his way to a friend's house when a short, heavy-set stocky black dog on a leash was allowed to lunge at and bite him.

A proposed law in Michigan seeks to require owners of dangerous dogs to register them -- and potentially face jail time for their dogs' attacks.

As reported in The Detroit News, the bill pending in the state House of Representatives would require owners of dangers dogs to "have their day in court if postal works or others file a complaint." The bill would provide a means for the public to be notified of a potentially deadly dog's address.

According to the News, "If owners fail to control their animal it could mean four years in prison, according to sentencing guidelines in the legislation, although the prison term is ultimately up to prosecutors and judges."

The bill was introduced by state Representative Jim Hoadley, who represents citizens in Kalamazoo.

A Detroit television station is reporting that a German shepherd attacked an 89-year-old woman and her dog in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The elderly woman, Marie Clark, told authorities that she and her small dog were attacked by the German shepherd, which jumped out of a truck belonging to a painting contractor doing work in the woman's neighborhood.

Mrs. Clark's dog died from injuries sustained in the attack. Mrs. Clark also suffered injuries in the attack requiring medical treatment. 

The German shepherd's owner reportedly received a ticket following the attack.

A Michigan newspaper, the Port Huron Times Herald, has run a story about the dangers of dog bites.

The newspaper reports that "a dog bite can be a traumatic event that results in serious injury. Vicious dog attacks cause numerous deaths every year. Often a dog bite will result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and a significant risk of infection. Many times, there is psychological harm that lasts well beyond the physical injury."

If you have concerns about a dog bit that you want to discuss with an attorney, contact us here or call 877-540-8333.

The Port Huron Times Herald reports that Michigan ranked seventh in the country for the number of dog bite-related insurance claims in 2015.

A St. Clair County Sheriff's Department spokesman said that the breeds of dogs involved in dog bit complaints in the county ranged from pit bulls to Shih Tzus.

A State Farm spokeswoman told the newspaper that "the most important thing to remember is that any dog can be dangerous and any dog can bite."

A Michigan couple is pleading no contest to manslaughter charges that their dangerous dogs caused a jogger's death in July 2014. 
The tragic attack by two Cane Corso dogs led to the mauling and death of Craig Sytsma who was jogging down a rural road in Lapeer County at the time.
According to a report in MLive, a plea deal  between prosecutors and the dog owners, Sebastiano Quagliata and Valbona Lucaj, means that each will face up to 15 years in prison, although the judge can add up to 6 months more at a sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2015. 
The website reported that Lapeer County Prosecutor Tim Turkelson anticipates a sentence of 19 to 38 months in prison for the husband and wife, who were originally charged with murder.