Updated for 2026 — reviewed and current with Michigan law as of 2026. Bitten in Michigan? Get a free case review — we handle dog bite cases in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties and throughout Michigan.
When a tenant’s dog bites someone, the obvious responsible party is the dog’s owner. But people often ask whether the landlord can be on the hook too — and in some situations, they can.
The dog’s owner comes first
Michigan’s strict-liability dog bite statute puts primary responsibility on the owner: they can be liable even if the dog never bit anyone before, as long as you were lawfully present and didn’t provoke it. Start there. For the full rule, see Michigan dog bite law, explained.
When a landlord may share responsibility
Landlords generally aren’t automatically responsible for a tenant’s dog. But a landlord can sometimes be drawn in under a negligence theory — for example, where the landlord knew a specific dog was dangerous and had the ability to do something about it (such as a dangerous dog kept in a shared common area) and didn’t act. It’s a fact-specific question that turns on what the landlord knew and what control they had.
Why it matters: more than one source of recovery
This isn’t a technicality. If the dog’s owner has no insurance or limited coverage, identifying another responsible party — or another policy — can be the difference between being made whole and being stuck with the bills. A lawyer can investigate who and what coverage may be available.
If you rent and own a dog
From the other side of the lease: as a tenant, you can be liable for your own dog, and renters insurance is how most people cover that risk. Our guides to renting with a dog and homeowners and renters insurance walk through how coverage works.
What to do after the bite
Get medical care, then document everything — the dog, the owner, the property, and any witnesses. Our First 24 Hours checklist and Incident Log help you capture what matters.
Related reading
- Who pays medical bills after a dog bite in Michigan?
- When the dog owner has no insurance: your options
- Bitten by a friend’s dog in Michigan
Bitten by a tenant’s dog?
Figuring out who’s responsible — owner, landlord, or both — is exactly what we do. The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm will review your case for free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Landlord liability is limited and fact-specific — consult a licensed Michigan attorney about your situation.
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