A Michigan-specific guide for victims of pit bull attacks. Covers what Michigan’s strict liability law means for pit bull cases, common breed-specific defenses you may encounter, and special considerations when injuries are severe.
Updated for 2026 — Attacked by a pit bull in Michigan? Get a free case review. We handle pit bull attack cases throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. No fee unless we win.
Pit bull attacks tend to cause more severe injuries than bites from most other breeds — not because the breed is uniquely vicious, but because of physical factors: jaw strength, bite force, “lock-jaw” behavior, and a tendency to repeatedly bite rather than nip once and retreat. Victims of pit bull attacks in Michigan often face significant medical bills, permanent scarring, and serious emotional trauma. They also face insurance companies that work harder to minimize these claims than almost any other type of dog bite case.
This guide explains how Michigan’s strict liability dog bite statute (MCL 287.351) applies to pit bull attacks specifically, the common defenses insurance companies use in pit bull cases, and what victims should know about recovering fair compensation.
Michigan’s Strict Liability Law Applies to All Breeds
Michigan’s dog bite statute does not single out pit bulls or any other breed. It applies equally to a Chihuahua, a Pit Bull, a Rottweiler, a Labrador, or any other dog. The statutory test is simple: did the dog bite a person who was lawfully on the property without provoking the dog? If yes, the owner is strictly liable for the damages — period.
This is good news for pit bull attack victims. You do not need to argue about whether pit bulls are inherently dangerous, whether this particular pit bull had been aggressive before, or whether the owner should have known. The law cuts through all of that. The bite happened. You were lawfully there. The owner is liable.
Why Pit Bull Cases Often Settle for Higher Amounts
Pit bull attack cases tend to involve more serious injuries than other dog bite cases, which translates to higher damages. Common features of pit bull attack cases include:
- Multiple wounds in a single attack. Pit bulls often bite, release, and re-bite multiple times during a single incident. Other breeds typically bite once and retreat.
- Crushing injuries. The bite force of a pit bull is significant. Even brief contact can cause crushing wounds, broken bones, and tissue damage that requires surgical repair.
- Permanent scarring — especially facial scarring. Pit bull attacks frequently target the face and head, particularly in children. Facial scarring compensation can be substantial under Michigan law.
- Need for plastic surgery. Many pit bull attack victims require multiple reconstructive surgeries over years. The full projected cost of future surgery is recoverable.
- Severe psychological injuries. PTSD, anxiety, and dog phobia are common after a pit bull attack and often more pronounced than in other dog bite cases.
- Child victims. A disproportionate share of pit bull attack cases involve children, who face lifelong consequences from facial scarring and trauma.
Michigan has no statutory cap on dog bite damages. Severe pit bull attack cases in Michigan have settled in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in catastrophic cases, in seven figures.
Common Insurance Company Defenses in Pit Bull Cases
Pit bull attack cases attract specific defenses you should know about. Most fail under Michigan law, but they get used because they sometimes work on unrepresented victims.
“It’s actually an American Staffordshire Terrier, not a pit bull”
Owners sometimes try to claim their dog isn’t technically a “pit bull” but rather a specific breed (American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, etc.). Under Michigan’s strict liability statute, the breed is irrelevant. The statute applies to any dog that bites under the qualifying conditions.
“The dog has never bitten anyone before”
Irrelevant in Michigan. The statute explicitly says the owner is liable “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” There is no “one-bite free pass” in Michigan.
“You provoked the dog”
This is the only real statutory defense, and Michigan courts have set a high bar. Provocation requires intentional, aggressive conduct — not approaching the dog, not making normal movements, not making noise. Insurance companies routinely claim victims “provoked” dogs by petting them, walking past them, or even just being nearby. These arguments rarely succeed in Michigan courts. See our full strict liability guide for what does and doesn’t legally constitute provocation.
“You were trespassing”
If genuinely trespassing, strict liability does not apply. But the bar for “trespassing” is much higher than insurance companies suggest. Visitors, guests, delivery workers, mail carriers, and anyone with implied permission to be on the property are not trespassers. Children are often found to be lawfully present even in situations where an adult might be considered a trespasser.
“The owner doesn’t have insurance”
Many homeowners’ insurance policies exclude pit bulls or have breed restrictions. This can be a real obstacle — but it does not mean no recovery is possible. Other potential paths to recovery include:
- Renter’s insurance, which sometimes covers dog bites even when the homeowner’s policy doesn’t
- Umbrella policies the dog owner may carry
- Personal assets of the dog owner (though collection can be difficult)
- Landlord liability if the bite occurred at a rental property where the landlord knew of the dangerous dog
Special Issues in Severe Pit Bull Attack Cases
Multiple Defendants
Severe pit bull attacks often involve more than one potential defendant. The dog’s owner is the primary target. But sometimes a person other than the legal owner was “harboring” the dog (living with it, caring for it, treating it as their own) — under Michigan law that person can also be liable. In apartment cases, the landlord may be liable if they knew about a dangerous dog. In some cases, the property owner where the attack occurred may have separate negligence liability. Identifying all potential defendants maximizes the available insurance coverage.
Dangerous Dog Hearings
After a serious pit bull attack, Michigan animal control or local authorities may pursue a dangerous-dog hearing to determine whether the dog should be classified as “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous” under Michigan law, leading to confinement requirements or, in serious cases, euthanasia. The outcome of that hearing can affect the civil case — an official dangerous-dog finding strengthens the victim’s negligence claim if it applies. See our guide on what happens to the dog after a bite.
Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death
Catastrophic injuries from pit bull attacks — including dismemberment, permanent disability, and in tragic cases, fatalities — require specialized handling. Damages in these cases can include lifetime medical care, lifetime lost earning capacity, and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages for the victim’s family. The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm handles catastrophic-injury and fatal dog attack cases.
What to Do After a Pit Bull Attack in Michigan
- Call 911 if injuries are serious. Pit bull attacks frequently require emergency medical response. Don’t wait. See our guide on when to go to the hospital.
- Get all injuries documented at the hospital. Pit bull attack injuries often look “less serious” initially than they actually are — tissue damage, nerve damage, and internal injuries can be hidden beneath the visible wound. Insist on thorough examination.
- Report to police and animal control. Severe pit bull attacks require police reports, not just animal control reports. Both create critical evidence. See our reporting guide.
- Photograph injuries throughout recovery. Initial photos, photos as wounds heal, photos of scarring. This documents the progression of damages for the case.
- Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and insurance. Try to determine who actually owns the dog vs. who lives at the property — sometimes these are different people.
- Save physical evidence. Torn clothing, photographs of the attack scene, any video from doorbell cameras or security systems.
- Identify witnesses. Get names and contact information of anyone who saw the attack or saw the dog’s behavior beforehand.
- Do not give recorded statements to insurance. The dog owner’s insurance company will call quickly. Do not give a recorded statement before consulting an attorney.
- Call a Michigan dog bite attorney immediately. Pit bull attack cases are higher-stakes than typical dog bite cases. Get specialized representation early. Call The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm at 1-800-LAWSUIT for a free case review.
Pit Bull-Specific Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Michigan?
Michigan does not have a statewide pit bull ban. Michigan law prevents municipalities from passing breed-specific legislation in most cases. However, after an attack, individual dogs can be classified as “dangerous” through a court process and subjected to confinement, muzzling, insurance, or destruction orders.
Does it matter if my homeowners’ insurance excludes pit bulls?
That depends on whose policy you’re claiming against. We pursue claims against the dog owner’s insurance, not yours. Many homeowners’ policies have pit bull exclusions — this is a real challenge, but there are often alternate paths to recovery.
My child was attacked by a pit bull. Is the case different?
Yes, in important ways. Child victims often receive higher pain-and-suffering awards. The statute of limitations works differently for minors. Facial scarring on a child is treated as a more significant damage than on an adult. See our dedicated guide on children bitten by dogs in Michigan.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Michigan’s statute of limitations for dog bite cases is three years from the date of the bite. For minor victims, the deadline is tolled (paused) until they turn 18.
Why Choose The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm
Pit bull attack cases need an attorney who handles dog bites every day — not occasionally. The Michigan Dog Bite Law Firm, led by Solomon Radner, exclusively represents dog bite victims. Mr. Radner has been a Michigan Super Lawyer every year since 2014 and has handled hundreds of Michigan dog bite cases including severe pit bull attacks.
The firm operates on contingency — no fee unless we recover. The case review is free.
Attacked by a pit bull in Michigan?
Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.