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Michigan has clear and firm dog bite laws designed to protect victims. Whether you were attacked in a park, a neighbor’s yard, or during a delivery job, Michigan’s strict liability statute holds dog owners accountable in most cases — even if their dog has never shown signs of aggression before.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 287.351, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if:
This means the owner can’t escape liability just because the dog never bit anyone before or wasn’t considered dangerous. If these two criteria are met, the law presumes the owner is at fault.
📌 Example: If you were bitten while walking on a sidewalk or visiting someone’s home (with permission), and you did not provoke the dog, the owner is automatically liable for your injuries.
Michigan has clear and firm dog bite laws designed to protect victims. Whether you were attacked in a park, a neighbor’s yard, or during a delivery job, Michigan’s strict liability statute holds dog owners accountable in most cases — even if their dog has never shown signs of aggression before.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 287.351, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if:
This means the owner can’t escape liability just because the dog never bit anyone before or wasn’t considered dangerous. If these two criteria are met, the law presumes the owner is at fault.
📌 Example: If you were bitten while walking on a sidewalk or visiting someone’s home (with permission), and you did not provoke the dog, the owner is automatically liable for your injuries.
Even though strict liability laws favor the victim, dog owners and their insurance companies often use common defenses to avoid responsibility or reduce the payout.
Top Defenses Include:
The owner may claim the victim teased, hit, or otherwise provoked the dog before the bite.
If the bite occurred while the victim was illegally on private property, the strict liability rule might not apply.
Some claims involve injuries without an actual bite (e.g., a dog knocking someone over). These may fall outside the statute and require proving negligence.
While Michigan’s dog bite statute covers actual bite injuries, other legal theories — like negligence or premises liability — can apply in cases involving:
An experienced dog bite lawyer will determine which legal approach best fits your case.
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog in Michigan, you have legal rights — but timing matters. Michigan has strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, known as the statute of limitations
Victims often suffer more than just physical wounds. Emotional trauma and long-term medical care can deeply affect your quality of life.
You still have the right to pursue compensation — typically through their homeowners’ insurance. Our firm handles these sensitive cases discreetly and professionally.
You don’t have to face the legal system alone. Our team has years of experience helping dog bite victims across Michigan recover full and fair compensation. Let us handle the legal details while you focus on healing.
Read more about your legal options (insert internal link to “Dog Bite Injury Claims” page)
At Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers, we are more than just legal professionals — we are dedicated advocates for dog bite victims across Michigan.
