After a dog bite incident in Michigan, one of the most common questions victims and dog owners alike ask is: “What will happen to the dog?”
The answer depends on several factors: the severity of the bite, the dog’s history, local ordinances, and whether the dog owner complies with Michigan’s animal control laws. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain Michigan’s dog bite laws, quarantine requirements, dangerous dog classifications, and when euthanasia may be ordered.
Quick answer: In Michigan, dogs that bite are typically quarantined for 10 days to monitor for rabies, may be classified as “dangerous animals” if they cause serious injury, and can face euthanasia if they pose an ongoing public safety threat.
Immediate Steps After a Dog Bite in Michigan
1. Mandatory Reporting Requirements
Michigan law (MCL § 287.266): Dog bites that break the skin MUST be reported to: – Local animal control (city or county) – Local health department – Law enforcement (in cases of severe injury)
Who reports: – Bite victims or their families – Medical providers (hospitals, urgent care, physicians) – Veterinarians who treat injured dogs – Witnesses to the attack
Timeframe: Reports should be made within 24 hours of the incident
Why this matters: Official reports trigger investigations that determine the dog’s fate
Michigan Example: When Maria from Dearborn was bitten by her neighbor’s pit bull, she reported it to Wayne County Animal Control within hours. The investigation revealed the dog had bitten twice before (unreported). The dog was immediately classified as dangerous and subject to strict ownership requirements. Had she not reported, the pattern would have continued undetected.
2. Animal Control Investigation
Standard procedure: – Animal control officer visits bite location – Interviews victim, dog owner, and witnesses – Photographs injuries and scene – Reviews dog’s history (vaccinations, prior incidents) – Inspects dog’s living conditions – Determines if dog poses ongoing threat
Investigation timeline: 24-72 hours after report
Outcomes: – Quarantine order issued – Owner receives citation or warning – Dog classified as dangerous (if applicable) – Euthanasia recommended (in severe cases)
Michigan’s 10-Day Quarantine Requirement
What is Quarantine?
Legal requirement (MCL § 287.266): Any dog that bites a person must be confined and observed for 10 days to monitor for signs of rabies
Why 10 days: Rabies virus is only transmissible in a dog’s saliva during the final 10 days before the dog shows symptoms and dies. If the dog remains healthy for 10 days post-bite, it could not have transmitted rabies to the victim.
Where Does Quarantine Happen?
Three options:
Option 1: Home Quarantine
Requirements: – Dog must be confined indoors or in secure outdoor kennel – No contact with people or other animals – Owner must allow animal control inspections (usually days 1, 5, and 10) – Dog must be current on rabies vaccination
When allowed: Minor bites, responsible owner, no prior bite history, secure confinement available
Cost: Free (owner provides care)
Michigan counties using home quarantine: Most suburban counties (Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Kent) allow home quarantine for first-time biters with minor incidents
Option 2: Veterinary Clinic Quarantine
Requirements: – Dog confined at licensed veterinary facility – Daily health monitoring by veterinarian – No contact with other animals or people (except vet staff) – Owner pays all costs
When required: Moderate bites, owner has inadequate confinement at home, or dog lacks current rabies vaccination
Cost: $300-$800 for 10-day quarantine (paid by dog owner)
Michigan Example: A German Shepherd in Ann Arbor bit a jogger on the trail in Washtenaw County. The dog owner lived in an apartment without secure outdoor space. Animal control required veterinary clinic quarantine at owner’s expense ($615).
Option 3: Animal Control Shelter Quarantine
Requirements: – Dog impounded at county animal control facility – Daily monitoring by shelter staff – Isolation from other shelter animals – Owner pays daily boarding fees
When required: Severe bites, owner cannot afford vet clinic quarantine, owner is uncooperative, dog has bite history
Cost: $25-$50 per day ($250-$500 for 10 days) paid by dog owner
Consequences of non-payment: Owner may lose custody of dog; dog may be euthanized or adopted out after legal holding period
Michigan counties frequently using shelter quarantine: Wayne County, Detroit, some rural Michigan counties
What Happens During Quarantine?
Daily monitoring for rabies symptoms: – Lethargy or unusual aggression – Excessive drooling or foaming at mouth – Difficulty swallowing – Paralysis or seizures – Behavioral changes
If dog shows symptoms: – Immediate euthanasia – Brain tissue sent to Michigan Department of Health for rabies testing – Victim notified to begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately
If dog remains healthy for 10 days: – Quarantine lifted – Dog returned to owner (if not classified as dangerous) – Victim informed that rabies transmission extremely unlikely
What if the Dog Owner Doesn’t Comply with Quarantine?
Legal consequences: – Civil infractions ($500-$1,000 fines) – Criminal charges (in cases of severe non-compliance) – Dog impounded and owner loses custody – Owner liable for all costs of impoundment – Dog may be euthanized
Michigan Example: A dog owner in Macomb County refused animal control’s home quarantine order after his Rottweiler bit a child. Animal control obtained a warrant, seized the dog, and the owner faced $1,200 in fines plus $780 in shelter costs. The dog was released after quarantine, but the owner’s non-compliance became evidence in the victim’s lawsuit, increasing the settlement by $35,000.
Dangerous Dog Classification in Michigan
What is a “Dangerous Animal”?
Michigan law (MCL § 287.321): A dangerous animal is a dog that:
- Bites or attacks a person without provocation, causing serious injury or death, OR
- Has a known history of attacking people or animals, OR
- Is kept, trained, or bred primarily for dog fighting
Key term: “Serious injury” means: – Permanent disfigurement – Serious impairment of health – Serious impairment of bodily function – Broken bones – Deep lacerations requiring sutures – Injuries requiring hospitalization
Not classified as dangerous: Minor bites causing superficial wounds only, unless the dog has multiple bite incidents
Dangerous Dog Hearing Process
Step 1: Animal control recommends classification After investigation, animal control may request that the dog be designated “dangerous”
Step 2: Notice to owner Owner receives written notice of proposed dangerous dog classification and scheduled hearing (usually 10-20 days)
Step 3: Administrative hearing – Held before local animal control board or district court judge – Owner may present evidence and witnesses – Bite victim may testify – Animal control presents investigation findings – Judge/board determines if dog meets “dangerous” criteria
Step 4: Decision – If dog classified as dangerous: Owner receives list of requirements (see below) – If not classified: Dog returned to owner with warning
Michigan Example: A pit bull in Oakland County bit a jogger, causing 15 stitches on her arm. Animal control recommended dangerous dog classification. At the hearing, the owner proved the jogger had been reaching through the fence to pet the dog (provocation). The judge declined dangerous classification, noting Michigan’s strict liability law still made owner liable for damages, but the dog itself wasn’t inherently dangerous.
Requirements for Owning a Dangerous Dog in Michigan
If a dog is classified as dangerous, owners must:
1. Secure Confinement
- Indoors: Dog must be securely confined inside home when unsupervised
- Outdoors: Dog must be in locked pen/kennel with:
- Minimum 6-foot fence
- Secure top (prevents climbing/jumping out)
- Concrete or buried wire floor (prevents digging out)
- “Beware of Dog” and “Dangerous Dog” warning signs posted
2. Leash & Muzzle Requirements
- Dog must be leashed AND muzzled when off owner’s property
- Leash maximum 6 feet long
- Handler must be adult (18+) capable of controlling dog
3. Liability Insurance
- Minimum $100,000 liability insurance specifically covering dog bites
- Proof of insurance provided to animal control annually
- Insurance cannot be canceled without notice to animal control
Michigan insurance note: Many homeowners’ insurance policies exclude dangerous dog coverage, requiring owners to obtain separate dangerous dog liability policies ($800-$3,000 annually)
4. Registration & Identification
- Dog registered annually with animal control as “dangerous animal”
- Registration fee: $50-$500 (varies by county)
- Dog must wear special “dangerous dog” tag at all times
- Some counties require microchipping
5. Spay/Neuter Requirement
- Many Michigan counties require dangerous dogs to be spayed/neutered to reduce aggression
Penalties for non-compliance: – Criminal misdemeanor charges – Fines up to $1,000 – Dog impounded and potentially euthanized – Owner banned from dog ownership
Real Michigan Case: Dangerous Dog Classification
Case: German Shepherd in Warren, Macomb County
Incident: Dog escaped yard and attacked 8-year-old riding bicycle, causing fractured arm and facial lacerations requiring 23 stitches
Animal control investigation: Dog had previously bitten mail carrier (unreported) and had citation for running at large
Hearing outcome: Classified as dangerous animal
Owner requirements: – Build $3,200 secure outdoor kennel meeting county specifications – Purchase $150,000 liability insurance ($1,800/year) – $250 annual dangerous dog registration – Leash and muzzle dog for walks – Post warning signs
Owner’s decision: Surrendered dog to animal control rather than comply with expensive requirements. Dog was adopted to experienced handler in rural area with extensive property.
When Can a Dog Be Euthanized in Michigan?
Legal Grounds for Euthanasia
Michigan law allows (but does not require) euthanasia when:
- Dog has rabies or shows rabies symptoms
- Dog has killed a person
- Dog has caused serious injury and is deemed an ongoing public safety threat
- Dog is dangerous and owner cannot/will not comply with dangerous dog requirements
- Dog has multiple bite incidents demonstrating pattern of aggression
Important: Even in severe cases, euthanasia is not automatic – it requires due process
Euthanasia Hearing Process
Who can request euthanasia: – Animal control – Prosecuting attorney – Bite victim (through attorney petition)
Due process requirements: – Owner must receive notice of euthanasia petition – Hearing held before judge (district or circuit court) – Owner has right to attorney representation – Evidence presented: dog’s history, bite circumstances, expert testimony – Owner can present evidence dog isn’t dangerous – Judge makes final determination
Standard applied: “Does this dog pose an ongoing, unacceptable risk to public safety?”
Factors Judges Consider
Factors favoring euthanasia: – Multiple unprovoked attacks on different people – Severe injuries inflicted (life-threatening mauling) – Attacks on children or elderly – Owner’s history of irresponsibility (prior violations, lack of control) – Dog bred/trained for aggression – No viable alternative to protect public
Factors against euthanasia: – First-time incident – Provocation by victim – Responsible owner with secure property – Dog shows no other aggressive behavior – Availability of rescue organizations willing to take dog – Owner compliance with dangerous dog requirements
Michigan Case Examples: Euthanasia Decisions
Example 1: Euthanasia Ordered
Location: Detroit, Wayne County Dog: Pit bull mix Incidents: – 2021: Bit child at park (owner paid medical bills, no formal report) – 2022: Attacked and killed neighbor’s small dog – 2023: Mauled elderly woman, causing broken hip and severe arm lacerations requiring hospitalization
Hearing outcome: Judge ordered euthanasia, finding: – Pattern of escalating aggression – Multiple victims across 3 years – Owner’s failure to properly secure dog (escaped yard 3 times) – Severe injuries demonstrating dog’s dangerousness
Quote from judge’s decision: “This dog represents an unacceptable risk to public safety. While euthanasia is never ordered lightly, the pattern of attacks and severity of injuries leaves no reasonable alternative.”
Example 2: Euthanasia Denied
Location: Grand Rapids, Kent County Dog: Labrador Retriever Incident: Bit jogger who entered owner’s fenced yard to retrieve frisbee, causing 8 stitches on leg
Animal control recommendation: Euthanasia due to severity of bite
Hearing outcome: Judge declined euthanasia, finding: – Victim was trespasser (entered fenced yard without permission) – Dog has no other bite history – Dog was protecting its territory (natural behavior) – Owner had proper fencing and warning signs – Less restrictive alternatives available (dangerous dog classification)
Order: Dog classified as dangerous with strict ownership requirements, but allowed to live
What Happens to the Dog After Quarantine?
Scenario 1: Minor Bite, No Prior History
Typical outcome: – Dog completes 10-day quarantine without incident – Dog returned to owner with warning – Owner may receive citation ($150-$500 fine) – No dangerous dog classification – Victim proceeds with injury claim against owner’s insurance
Owner responsibilities going forward: – Keep dog secured to prevent future incidents – Maintain current rabies vaccination – Possibly attend canine good citizen training
Most common scenario: 60-70% of Michigan dog bite cases
Scenario 2: Moderate Bite, First Incident
Typical outcome: – Dog completes quarantine – Dangerous dog hearing scheduled – Dog possibly classified as dangerous (requires hearing) – Owner must comply with dangerous dog requirements – Owner faces criminal charges (civil infraction or misdemeanor)
Owner’s choice: – Comply with requirements (expensive, time-consuming) – Surrender dog to animal control – Relocate dog to rural area or out-of-state (if legally permitted)
Common scenario: 20-25% of Michigan dog bite cases
Scenario 3: Severe Bite or Repeat Offender
Typical outcome: – Dog impounded throughout quarantine and beyond – Dangerous dog classification highly likely – Euthanasia may be recommended – Owner faces criminal charges (potentially misdemeanor with jail time) – Victim’s injury claim proceeds
Owner’s difficult choice: – Fight euthanasia order (requires attorney, court hearings, no guarantee of success) – Voluntarily surrender dog for euthanasia – Find rescue organization willing to take dangerous dog (rare)
Least common scenario: 10-15% of Michigan dog bite cases
Your Rights as a Bite Victim
1. Right to Know What Happens to the Dog
Michigan law: Bite victims have the right to: – Be notified of quarantine location and results – Receive copies of animal control investigation reports – Be informed of dangerous dog hearings – Testify at dangerous dog or euthanasia hearings – Access dog’s bite history (through FOIA if necessary)
Why this matters: If the dog has bitten before, it strengthens your injury claim and proves owner’s negligence
2. Right to Request Dangerous Dog Classification
Victim advocacy: If animal control doesn’t automatically pursue dangerous dog classification, you can: – Request animal control reconsider – Petition court directly through your attorney – Testify at hearing about severity of your injuries – Provide medical records documenting harm
Strategic consideration: Dangerous dog classification helps your civil case by: – Establishing official record of dog’s dangerousness – Proving owner’s knowledge of risk – Potentially increasing settlement value
3. Your Injury Claim is Separate from What Happens to the Dog
Critical understanding:
What happens to the dog ≠ Your right to compensation
- Even if dog isn’t classified as dangerous, you still have injury claim
- Even if dog is euthanized, you still pursue financial compensation
- Even if owner complies with all requirements, you still deserve settlement
- Owner’s compliance with animal control doesn’t reduce their liability
Michigan Strict Liability Law (MCL § 287.351): You’re entitled to compensation if: 1. You were legally on the property (or on public property) 2. You didn’t provoke the dog
That’s it. Dog’s fate is separate legal matter from your injury compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I demand the dog be euthanized?
A: No. Euthanasia decisions are made by judges based on public safety considerations, not victim preference. However, you can: – Testify at hearings about the severity of your injuries – Provide evidence of dog’s danger – Request animal control pursue euthanasia
Reality: Your focus should be on your medical recovery and financial compensation, not the dog’s fate
Q: What if the owner moves the dog out of state to avoid consequences?
A: This is illegal and constitutes obstruction of an animal control investigation. If discovered: – Owner faces criminal charges – Dog can be seized from new location (if found) – Strengthens your civil case by proving owner’s consciousness of guilt
Action: Report suspected relocation to animal control immediately
Q: Can the dog bite me again during quarantine?
A: Extremely unlikely if properly quarantined. However, avoid any contact with: – The dog’s property – The dog owner (except through attorneys/investigators) – The quarantine location
If you encounter the dog during quarantine, report violation to animal control immediately
Q: What if animal control doesn’t take the bite seriously?
A: If you feel animal control isn’t adequately addressing the danger: – Document everything (emails, phone calls, refusals to act) – Escalate to county health department – Contact local prosecutor’s office – Have your attorney send formal demand letter – File complaint with Michigan Department of Agriculture (oversees animal control)
Your attorney can apply pressure that gets animal control’s attention
Q: Will my dog bite lawsuit make the news? Will the dog’s fate be public?
A: – Civil settlements: Usually confidential – Animal control records: Public records (accessible via FOIA) – Dangerous dog hearings: Usually public proceedings – Media attention: Rare unless severe attack or unusual circumstances
Privacy concerns: Discuss with your attorney if you want to avoid publicity
How This Affects Your Legal Case
Why Dog’s Outcome Matters to Your Case
Dangerous dog classification helps your case: – Official finding that dog is dangerous – Creates documented evidence of owner’s negligence – May increase settlement value
Prior bite history is critical evidence: – Proves owner knew dog was aggressive – Defeats owner’s “I had no idea” defense – Significantly increases settlement value
Michigan Example: Two victims bitten by similar dogs in Oakland County: – Victim A: Dog had no prior history – settled for $78,000 – Victim B: Dog had 2 prior unreported bites (discovered during investigation) – settled for $167,000
The $89,000 difference? Knowledge of prior bites proved owner’s negligence
Strategic Timing Considerations
Don’t wait for dog’s fate to be decided before pursuing your claim: – Quarantine takes 10 days – Dangerous dog hearings take 30-90 days – Euthanasia proceedings can take months
Meanwhile: Your medical bills are accumulating, your statute of limitations is running, and you need compensation
Best approach: 1. Report bite immediately 2. Consult attorney within days 3. Begin building your injury case 4. Let attorney track dog’s fate separately
Take the Next Step: Protect Your Rights
The fate of the dog that bit you is important for public safety, but your medical recovery and financial compensation are paramount. Don’t wait for animal control proceedings to conclude before pursuing your legal rights.
Why choose our firm: ✓ We coordinate with animal control to gather critical evidence (bite history, investigation reports) ✓ We know Michigan dog bite laws inside and out – both criminal/regulatory and civil ✓ We track quarantine and classification proceedings so you don’t have to ✓ We’ve handled hundreds of Michigan dog bite cases across all counties ✓ No upfront costs – contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win
Free case evaluation: We’ll review your case, explain what’s likely to happen to the dog, and discuss your compensation rights – with no obligation.
Call us today at [PHONE NUMBER] or complete our online form. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.
Important Michigan Resources: – Report dog bites: Contact your county animal control – Wayne County Animal Control: 313-224-6356 – Oakland County Animal Control: 248-858-1093 – Macomb County Animal Control: 586-469-5115 – Kent County Animal Control: 616-632-7310 – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development: 800-292-3939
Sources & References: – Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.321 (Dangerous Animals) – Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.266 (Bite Reporting & Quarantine) – Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.351 (Dog Bite Strict Liability) – Michigan Department of Health & Human Services: Rabies Prevention & Control – Michigan Department of Agriculture: Animal Control Guidelines – Centers for Disease Control: Rabies Quarantine Protocols