What Happens After I File an Animal Control Report in Michigan?

Filing an animal control report after a Michigan dog bite triggers a specific sequence of investigation, quarantine, and documentation. Here’s what to expect — and what to follow up on.

The Short Answer

After you file an animal control report, an officer is typically dispatched within 24-48 hours to investigate. The officer contacts the dog owner, verifies rabies vaccination, and may order a 10-day quarantine (usually at the owner’s home). The case stays open until quarantine ends. You should receive a case number and can request a copy of the final report — which becomes critical evidence in your civil claim under MCL 287.351.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

The animal control process after a Michigan dog bite is more involved than most victims realize. Understanding what happens — and what should happen — helps you stay on top of the case and make sure nothing important gets missed.

Step 1: Initial intake (Day 0)

When you call animal control, they take basic information: your name and contact details, the location and time of the bite, your injuries, and any information you have about the dog and owner. They assign a case number. Save this — you will need it when requesting reports later.

Step 2: Officer investigation (Day 1-2)

An animal control officer typically visits the dog owner within 24-48 hours. They will:

Verify the dog’s identity and ownership
Check the dog’s rabies vaccination status (current certificate)
Inspect the dog
Interview the owner about circumstances of the bite
Check for prior bite reports at the address
Issue any required citations (off-leash, no license, prior dangerous dog finding)

Step 3: Rabies quarantine (Days 1-10)

If the dog’s rabies vaccination is current, the quarantine is typically a 10-day “home confinement” at the owner’s address. The animal control officer visits at the start and end of the quarantine to verify the dog is healthy (a healthy dog that bites is not actively shedding rabies; if the dog dies or develops symptoms during quarantine, that changes the picture).

If the dog’s rabies vaccination is NOT current or cannot be verified, the quarantine may be at a licensed facility (animal shelter or veterinary clinic) at the owner’s expense. In some cases, the dog may be euthanized for testing — but only in severe cases when the dog is exhibiting symptoms.

Step 4: Final report (Day 10-14)

After quarantine ends, the case is finalized. The final report includes:

The officer’s findings
Dog identification details
Owner contact and insurance information (if provided)
Rabies vaccination verification
Any citations issued
Prior bite history at the address

You can request a copy through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the county or city — usually a $5-25 fee. Many counties allow online FOIA requests. Your attorney can also obtain it during the case.

Step 5: Dangerous dog determination (if applicable)

In serious cases, animal control may petition the local court for a “dangerous dog” determination — see our guide on Michigan dangerous dog laws. This separate proceeding can result in mandatory containment requirements, insurance requirements, or in extreme cases, court-ordered euthanasia.

What This Means for Your Case

The animal control report is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in any Michigan dog bite civil case. It documents the bite occurred, identifies the dog and owner, establishes timing, and often contains admissions from the owner during the investigation. Your attorney will obtain the report as part of building your claim under MCL 287.351.

What If Animal Control Doesn’t Respond?

Some Michigan counties have under-resourced animal control departments. If you don’t hear back within a week:

Call again and ask for case status
Ask to speak with the supervising officer
File a parallel report with local police
Contact your county commissioner’s office if the agency is unresponsive

Bitten by a dog in Michigan? Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.