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Dog attacks can cause life-changing injuries — and in many cases, these injuries involve breeds that are statistically more prone to aggression. While Michigan law does not discriminate by breed, many cities enforce local ordinances targeting specific breeds, creating confusion for victims and owners alike.
At our Michigan personal injury firm, we help dog bite victims understand how state law, local rules, and homeowner negligence intersect when a dangerous dog breed causes harm. If you’ve been injured by a dog classified as “aggressive” or “dangerous,” you may have powerful legal options — even if the dog had never bitten anyone before.
Though any dog — regardless of size or breed — can bite, some breeds are more frequently associated with severe injuries or fatal attacks. This is often due to a combination of:
📊 According to national bite data and hospital records, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers account for the majority of fatal dog attacks in the U.S., despite making up a small percentage of the overall dog population.
Short answer: No.
Michigan’s dog bite statute, MCL 287.351, operates under a strict liability standard, meaning:
“The owner of a dog is liable for damages if the dog bites someone, without provocation, while the person is on public property or lawfully on private property.”
✅ The breed of the dog does not impact the owner’s liability.
❌ Owners cannot use breed as a defense.
✅ Even if the dog has no history of aggression, liability still applies.
This means that victims do not need to prove that the dog was a “dangerous breed” — only that the bite occurred without provocation and on lawful grounds.
Some cities in Michigan have enacted Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) — local ordinances that regulate or restrict the ownership of certain breeds considered dangerous.
Requires additional registration and restraint requirements for Pit Bulls.
Bans ownership of Pit Bulls and similar breeds.
Mandates muzzling and signage for certain aggressive breeds.
Had regulations on “vicious dogs” that have since been updated to focus on behavior, not breed.
Our legal team is familiar with these ordinances, and we leverage them when proving owner negligence, violations of local law, or recklessness in dog bite claims.
Under Michigan’s Dangerous Dog Laws (Public Act 426), a dog may be labeled as “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous” if it has:
If a dog has already been designated “dangerous,” the owner may be required to:
Violation of these regulations can be powerful evidence of negligence and increase the likelihood of a successful lawsuit for damages.
Victims of attacks by high-risk breeds often suffer more severe injuries due to the sheer force and intensity of the bite. We frequently see cases involving:
Crushed bones and muscle tissue
Animal control reports
Infections and sepsis
Partial or complete amputationsCrushed bones and muscle tissue
Severe emotional trauma, especially in children
These types of injuries often require multiple surgeries, long-term rehab, and psychological counseling, all of which may be recoverable through a legal claim.
By building a comprehensive case, we help our clients recover maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, disfigurement, emotional trauma, lost income, and future care needs.
We deal with:
A client in Flint, Michigan was mauled by an unrestrained Pit Bull that had previously bitten two neighbors. Despite the owner’s denials, our investigation revealed multiple complaints to animal control and violations of township leash laws. We recovered $350,000 in damages — including compensation for reconstructive surgery and PTSD treatment.
If you or a loved one were bitten by a Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, or other aggressive breed, you may be entitled to significant compensation — even if the dog had no prior incidents.
At Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers, we are more than just legal professionals — we are dedicated advocates for dog bite victims across Michigan.
