Ann Arbor is home to roughly 120,000 residents and the University of Michigan — a walkable, dog-loving city where people, students, and pets share sidewalks, parks, and river trails every day. Preventable bites happen here more often than you’d think.
The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm represents dog bite victims in Ann Arbor and throughout Washtenaw County. Dog bites aren’t a sideline for us — they’re the entire practice. That focus is exactly what you want in your corner when an insurance company starts hunting for reasons to pay you less than you deserve.
Ann Arbor-Specific Context
Ann Arbor sits along the Huron River in Washtenaw County. Neighborhoods like Kerrytown, the Old West Side, Burns Park, and the campus areas mix long-time homeowners with a large student and renter population — and the heavily used Gallup Park, Nichols Arboretum, and Huron River trails bring a lot of dogs and pedestrians together. Animal control for Washtenaw County is handled through the county in partnership with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, and a citywide leash ordinance applies on public property. Serious injury cases for Washtenaw County are heard at the 22nd Circuit Court.
Dog Bites in Ann Arbor: Where They Happen
Dog bites in Ann Arbor tend to cluster in a few predictable places:
- Parks & river trails — Gallup Park, the Arb, and the Border-to-Border Trail, where off-leash dogs ignore leash rules.
- Residential streets & porches — loose or unrestrained dogs in the neighborhoods.
- Student & rental housing — shared yards, porches, and common areas near campus.
- Delivery routes — postal, package, and food-delivery workers are bitten at high rates across the city.
Wherever it happened in Ann Arbor, the legal question is the same — and Michigan’s answer favors the person who got bitten, not the owner who let it happen.
Your Rights After a Dog Bite in Ann Arbor
Michigan is a strict liability state. Under MCL 287.351, a dog owner is responsible for a bite even if the dog had never shown a flicker of aggression before. No “one free bite” here. If you were bitten in Ann Arbor, were lawfully there, and didn’t provoke the dog, the owner is generally liable — period. You don’t have to prove negligence. Start with our strict liability guide and how to sue for a dog bite in Michigan.
Ann Arbor Dog Bite Cases: The Local Specifics
| City | Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan |
| Local district court | 15th District Court, 301 E Huron St, Ann Arbor |
| Larger injury claims | Serious injury claims (generally above $25,000) are filed in the 22nd Circuit Court for Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor |
| Animal control | Washtenaw County animal control, in partnership with the Humane Society of Huron Valley, handles bite reports |
| Reporting | Report the bite to animal control and, for serious bites, file a police report — see how to report a bite. |
| Deadline | Generally 3 years from the bite — see our statute of limitations guide. |
Court assignments and animal control coverage can change. We confirm the exact court and agency for your situation when we review your case.
How We Work With Ann Arbor Clients
You don’t need to drive anywhere to work with us. Most first conversations happen by phone, and we handle the entire case remotely when that’s easier for you — gathering your records, dealing with the insurance company, and keeping you updated without you ever leaving Ann Arbor. When an in-person meeting makes sense, we come to you. We represent dog bite victims across the state, and our office is in Southfield.
The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm
What an Ann Arbor Dog Bite Case Could Be Worth
Nobody honest promises a number on day one. But these categories of compensation are well established under Michigan law:
Medical Bills
Past and future. Who pays →
Scarring
Especially facial. Your rights →
Emotional Trauma
PTSD is compensable. More →
Children
Special protections. Learn more →
Full breakdown: how much your Michigan dog bite case is worth.
Talk to an Ann Arbor Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Free conversation. Straight answers. No fee unless we win money for you. If you were bitten in Ann Arbor, let’s talk about what happened.