Dog Bite Laws in Michigan
If you are the victim of a dog bite anywhere in Michigan, contact the dog bite attorneys at The Stroble Law Firm P.C. today at (888) 454-0801 or use our online contact form for an evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.
Dog Bite Statute
Michigan’s dog-bite statute provides the following:
“If a dog bites a person, without provocation while the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
In other words, unless you somehow provoked a dog or incited it to attack you, the dog’s owner faces absolute liability for your damages, including your pain and suffering, medical expenses (emergency room treatment, stitches, shots, X-rays and any rehabilitation) and lost wages. It does not matter whether the owner knew of the dog’s viciousness or whether the owner’s carelessness caused the dog bite.
Common Law Claims
In addition to the dog-bite statute, Michigan law recognizes common law claims for your damages if you have been attacked by a dog or any other domestic animal, such as a cat. Claims for animal attacks include:
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Strict liability: A dog owner can be held strictly liable for damage done by a dog if he or she knows or has reason to know of the dog’s “abnormal dangerous propensities,” and the harm results from that vicious or aggressive trait of the dog. You don’t need to show that the dog has previously attacked people, but instead, that the owner knew the dog had a tendency to attack humans or other animals. You would need to show that dog has an ill temper, aggressive behavior and a tendency to become agitated and hostile. However, keep in mind that mere barking or growling at humans is considered normal canine behavior and may not support a claim.
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Negligence: Michigan law also recognizes that a dog owner who does not have knowledge of the animal’s abnormal dangerous propensities can still be held liable for negligently failing to restrain the dog or prevent harm by it. For instance, the owner could be held liable for failing to put the dog on a leash or in a cage or kennel area.
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Trespass: If a person’s dog goes on your property without your permission, a claim of trespass could be filed. This type of claim might be highly relevant if the dog has come into your yard and attacked a child or one of your own pets.
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Battery: In some cases, a dog owner might have intentionally tried to harm you with the dog, using the dog essentially as a weapon.
> More information: Dog Bites in Michigan
Contact Us
Based in Bloomfield Hills, The Stroble Law Firm represents clients across Michigan, including Macomb County, Oakland County, Warren, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Utica, Roseville, Troy, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Southfield, Pontiac, Birmingham Michigan, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills. Call The Stroble Law Firm at (888) 454-0801, or contact us online for an evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.
We can put our proven techniques to work, including investigating a dog bite case by reviewing licenses, vaccination and medical records. We can also interview eyewitnesses who can refute commonly asserted defenses that the dog bite was somehow provoked or that the harm was the result of the victim’s own negligence.
