Frequently Asked Questions

What is the law in Michigan with respect to dog collars, leashes and tags?

In Michigan, all dogs must be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and wear a current license tag. There is no statewide leash law, but most municipalities have one. In Detroit, Wayne County, and many other Michigan cities, it is illegal to keep a dog unleashed in any public place. Some communities also impose nighttime confinement rules. Even where no specific leash ordinance exists, allowing a dog to roam unrestrained can create civil liability if the dog injures someone.

What is the legal standard for bringing a lawsuit against a biting-dog’s owner?

Michigan is a strict liability state for dog bites under MCL 287.351. If a dog bites you while you were lawfully on public or private property and you did not provoke the dog, the owner is liable — regardless of the dog’s prior history and regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. There is no “one-bite rule” in Michigan. The victim does not need to prove the owner was negligent.

Where a dog injures someone without biting (knockdown, scratch, chase-and-fall), strict liability does not apply, but a victim can still recover under common law negligence by showing the owner failed to reasonably control the dog. See our full guide to Michigan’s strict liability law.

What should I do after a dog bite or attack?

The first 24 hours matter most. In order: (1) get medical attention — go to the ER for any bite that breaks skin; (2) report the bite to local animal control and to the police if injuries are serious — many Michigan municipalities, including Detroit, accept dog bite reports online; (3) photograph your injuries, the scene, and the dog if you can do so safely; (4) collect the dog owner’s name, address, phone, and insurance information, plus contact information for any witnesses; (5) request a copy of the animal control report and your medical records; and (6) call a Michigan dog bite lawyer before talking to the dog owner’s insurance company.

The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm can help with the municipal filings if needed. Call us at (313) 474-8203 for a free consultation. See our full first 24 hours checklist.

What happens to the Biting-Dog after a Dog Bite is reported?

When a dog bites a person in Michigan, Animal Control will typically investigate and determine whether the dog is a threat to the public. A dog that causes bodily injury generally requires a rabies quarantine — usually 10 days — to confirm the dog’s rabies status. If the dog is deemed dangerous, additional conditions may be imposed on the owner, including:

• Expert evaluation and behavioral training
• Secure confinement when not under direct control
• In public, restraint by a leash held by someone at least 21 years old
• Muzzling in public
• A liability insurance policy specifically covering dog attacks, up to $100,000

All costs associated with these requirements are the dog owner’s responsibility. In serious cases, a court can order the dog destroyed. See our guide on what happens to a dog after a bite.

What damages can I recover in a dog-bite lawsuit?

Under Michigan’s strict liability statute, a dog bite victim can recover the full range of personal injury damages, including:

• Past and future medical bills — emergency care, surgery, plastic surgery, scar revision, physical therapy, psychological treatment
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma, including PTSD and anxiety
• Scarring and disfigurement, particularly facial scarring, which Michigan courts treat as a significant compensable injury
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Michigan has no statutory cap on dog bite damages. The Michigan comparative negligence rule can reduce a recovery if the victim’s own conduct (such as provoking the dog) contributed to the bite. For details, see our breakdown of how much a Michigan dog bite case is worth.

I was bitten in the past, can I recover?

Possibly. Michigan’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is three years from the date of the bite under MCL 600.5805. Special rules can extend that deadline for minors. If you were bitten in the past and that three-year window has not closed, you may still have a viable claim — but evidence (animal control records, witness memory, photos of the dog and injuries) deteriorates quickly. Contact The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm at (313) 474-8203 as soon as possible so we can evaluate your case and preserve evidence. See our full statute of limitations guide.

I was bitten while visiting Michigan, but I do not live in Michigan. Or I was bitten by a dog that was visiting Michigan. Do I have a case?

Yes, in both scenarios you may have a Michigan case. Michigan law generally allows a dog bite victim to sue in the venue where the incident occurred, regardless of where the victim or dog owner lives. This includes incidents where a tourist is bitten in Michigan and where a Michigan resident is bitten by a dog visiting from out of state. Because cross-state cases involve choice-of-venue and personal-jurisdiction issues, it is especially important to work with a lawyer who handles Michigan dog bite cases regularly. Call (313) 474-8203 for a free case review.

I was bitten by a dog on someone else’s property. Do I have a case?

Often, yes. Michigan’s strict liability statute applies when you were “lawfully on” the property — which includes invited guests, customers, mail carriers and delivery drivers, and anyone with implied permission to be there. You do not have to be expressly invited; implied permission is enough.

If you were trespassing when bitten, the strict liability statute generally will not apply. However, a negligence claim may still be available if the owner knew the dog was dangerous and failed to take reasonable precautions. Provocation — meaning intentional conduct that would reasonably cause a dog to bite, such as hitting or tormenting the dog — can also limit recovery. Simply approaching, petting, or being near a dog is not provocation under Michigan law, despite what insurance adjusters often claim.

I am a USPS Postal Worker and I was bitten on the job. Can I sue?

Generally yes. The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act bars postal workers from suing the federal government for on-the-job dog bites, but it does not bar a claim against the negligent dog owner. Postal workers in Michigan can pursue a civil claim against the dog owner under Michigan’s strict liability statute, typically through the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy of the dog’s owner. These claims can recover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma — all on top of any federal workers’ compensation benefits already received. If a dog attacked you while you were delivering mail in Michigan, call The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm at (313) 474-8203. There is no fee unless we win.

I am a UPS carrier. Could I Have a Case if Bitten On-The-Job?

Yes. UPS drivers, FedEx couriers, Amazon delivery drivers, DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers, and other delivery workers who are bitten while on the job in Michigan can pursue a dog bite claim against the dog’s owner under Michigan’s strict liability statute. Workers’ compensation through your employer typically covers immediate medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but workers’ comp does not cover pain and suffering, scarring, emotional trauma, or the full value of long-term injuries. A separate dog bite claim against the owner — usually paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance — recovers those additional damages. Both can be pursued at the same time. Call (313) 474-8203 for a free case review.

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