Michigan Dog Bite Claims: Owner Liability and Injury Evidence

Michigan’s dog-bite statute can hold an owner responsible even when the dog has never bitten anyone before. The important questions include whether a bite occurred, whether it was without provocation, and whether the injured person was in a public place or lawfully on private property.

A prior bite is not required by the statute

Under MCL 287.351, an owner’s statutory liability for a qualifying bite does not depend on the dog’s previous viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of it. That does not remove the need to prove the statute’s other requirements.

Provocation and lawful presence can be contested. Give an accurate account of the interaction, including what happened just before the bite and why you were at the location. Do not assume every injury involving a dog fits the same statutory claim; being knocked down without a bite may require another legal theory.

Identify the dog, owner, and available witnesses

Save the owner’s name and contact information, the location, photographs, and witness details. Obtain the incident number for any animal-control or police report. Keep communications about ownership and insurance, but do not assume a property owner and dog owner are the same person.

Medical care comes first. Preserve treatment records and dated photographs of the injury and healing process. If a child is injured, document what adults actually observed separately from what they learned afterward. An accurate timeline helps assess both the event and the resulting harm.

Document the full effects of the injury

• Emergency and follow-up treatment records, prescriptions, bills, and receipts.
• Dated photographs of wounds and scarring, with original files retained.
• Work restrictions, missed work, and any assistance needed during recovery.
• Records of continuing pain, hand limitations, or other functional changes discussed with treating providers.
• Correspondence from the dog owner, property insurer, or any other potential source of coverage.

Evaluate liability and coverage separately

An owner’s possible legal responsibility does not establish that a particular insurance policy covers the incident. Policy exclusions, the insured persons, and the circumstances of the event need separate review. Similarly, a quick offer may not address treatment or scarring that has not yet been evaluated.

Our animal bite and attack practice page describes representation in these cases. If a child’s claim may settle, review our explanation of settlements for minor children and discuss the required process before signing an agreement.

Discuss your claim with Logeman & Iafrate

For a free consultation, contact Logeman & Iafrate, P.C. or call (734) 994-0200. Bring the records described above so the conversation can focus on your accident, available coverage, and next steps.

This article provides general information, not legal advice. The applicable law, policy terms, and deadlines depend on the facts of your case.

Must the dog have bitten someone before?

No. A qualifying claim under Michigan’s dog-bite statute does not require proof of an earlier bite or the owner’s knowledge of viciousness.

What if the dog knocked me down without biting?

The bite statute may not be the applicable theory. Other possible negligence or liability grounds require case-specific review.

Does homeowners insurance always pay?

No. Coverage depends on the policy, insured persons, exclusions, and facts. Preserve all insurance correspondence.