Michigan Dog Bite Laws

Michigan has several requirements a dog owner must fulfill. These range from applying for licenses and obtaining rabies vaccinations to following leash ordinances based on local government and understanding breed-specific legislation. 

The state is in the top four with the highest cost of dog injury claims in 2023 — recording 932 cases amounting to $64.5 million paid by State Farm. The Insurance Information Institute reported a total of $69,168 in average cost per claim across Michigan. 

The Wolverine State is also in the top nine ranking of the most dog bite incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees, with 183 cases in 2023. Dog bite incidents usually involve breeds that are deemed aggressive, like Caucasian shepherd and bullmastiff; and although some cities ban pit bulls and rottweilers, these breeds are also included. 

With various regulations and the complexity of the legal system, victims of dog bites are advised to seek legal help from dog bite attorneys to guide them throughout the process. These involve establishing negligence and fighting for their rights. 

In addition, this article educates both parties involved in the incident, with topics that cover the owner’s responsibilities, the liability system, civil and criminal penalties, and how much compensatory damages to receive. 

Dog Owner Responsibilities in Michigan

A resident of Michigan is considered the owner of the dog if they possess, harbor, or keep them for five or more consecutive days. They are required to apply for a license for each dog they own, four months old or older, within 30 days. They must submit their application to the treasurer of the county, township, or city they live in. 

The said application must state the dog’s age, marking, breed, and sex, as well as a valid certificate of current vaccination for rabies licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. 

After approving the application, the treasurer will send the license and a tag to the owner, which must be attached to the dog's collar at all times. The given license must display the serial number of the tag, a full description of the dog, and the expiration date of the dog’s rabies vaccination.

All dogs must be kept on a leash, except female dogs in heat running on private property, dogs who are hunting and accompanied by their owner, and those performing tasks or training, like farm and guard dogs. 

Dogs running at large are prohibited and must be under reasonable control of their owner. They must abide by the following rules:

• Dogs must be securely held by a leash of adequate strength and length by the owner.

• Dogs must be confined in a rear yard enclosed with a fence or by a rope or chain that prevents them from approaching anyone closer than 15 feet.

• Dogs must be in an enclosed vehicle or container. 

• Dogs must be tethered or chained at least three times their length, from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail.

The limitation on how many animals someone can own depends on local ordinances. For instance, Auburn City allows five dogs in one residence, while Taylor City limits ownership to three.

In Michigan, pets are allowed in forest campgrounds and trail boating access sites, provided that these rules are followed:

• Pets must be on a six-foot leash.

• Owners must carry a waste bag at all times.

• Keep pets from interacting with wildlife.

Breed-Specific Legislation in Michigan

Over 30 localities in Michigan have ordinances on how to regulate dogs based on their breeds. These include the requirement for spaying and neutering dogs and paying for the sterilization process to obtain them, banning or restricting certain breeds, and putting them on leashes on public property. However, these ordinances vary per city or county in Michigan. 

For instance, Ecorse and Kingsford ban pit bulls, while Lapeer and Southgate only restrict them. On the other hand, Harper Woods and Buena Vista Charter Township ban rottweilers. Meanwhile, the possession of wolf-dog hybrids is illegal anywhere in the state.

However, breed-specific legislation can be grounds for animal discrimination, and, based on reports from the American Veterinary Medical Association, breeds are not entirely a basis for an animal to be considered dangerous or aggressive. 

In line with this, lawmakers proposed bipartisan bills that would eliminate the existence of the legislation. Under this bill, the local government will be prohibited from enforcing ordinances based on dog breeds but is responsible for imposing additional requirements for the owners.

Liability Standards in Michigan Dog Bite Cases

In Michigan, dog owners are liable for any damages a victim suffers from the attack, provided they establish the following elements: 

• The dog caused the victim’s injuries. 

• The victim did not intentionally or unintentionally provoke the dog.

• The victim was legally permitted to be on the owner’s premises when the incident happened. 

• The claim is against the owner, and not someone who has no legal control over the dog but had the animal during the incident.

The state operates under a strict liability system, which means dog owners are still responsible for the attack even if they do not know that their pet is vicious or has a history of being aggressive. 

Landlords can be liable for injuries in a biting incident involving the dog owned by their renters. However, victims must prove that the following elements are present:

• The landlord failed to address the dangerous condition. 

• The landlord is aware of the dog’s behavior. 

• The biting incident occurred on the landlord’s property. 

On the other hand, Michigan follows the comparative fault rule in personal injury cases, which means the victim’s compensation can be reduced based on the percentage of their fault. For example, plaintiffs who are 50% and below to blame have the same percentage reduced from their compensation, while those over 50% at fault can only receive economic compensation.

Statute of Limitations in Michigan for Dog Bite Cases

Individuals who suffer physical injuries and mental anguish caused by dog bites are given three years, beginning on the incident date, to pursue a claim against the at-fault parties. However, a minor victim must wait until they turn 19  to file a lawsuit.  

Meanwhile, those with wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations of three years to file a lawsuit. The decedent’s personal representative and surviving family members, including spouse, grandparents, children, and siblings, have the right to take legal action on their behalf. Also, it is a wrongful death case if the decedent could have filed a claim if they survived the attack. 

It is important to adhere to the following timeline, as the court will most likely reject the claim if it has passed its expiration date. Working on the case as soon as possible is beneficial for victims to exercise their rights to compensatory damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Civil Penalties for Dog Bites in Michigan

Dog owners are liable for damages that the victim sustained from the attack. Dog bite claims can be resolved through settlement negotiation or litigation. 

In Michigan, the settlement value can range from $100,000 to $1 million, depending on various factors, such as the age of the victim, rehabilitation and medical bills, the severity of psychological effects on the victim, and the location of the injuries. However, these expenses are usually covered by the defendant’s renters’, business, or homeowners’ insurance liability policy.      

Criminal Penalties for Dog Bites in Michigan

In Michigan, owners of dangerous animals, which means dogs or cats that attack or bite a person or another animal that causes permanent injuries, are punishable by a fine of no more than $2,000, imprisonment of no more than four years, community service for a minimum of 500 hours, or a combination of these. Meanwhile, those with animals that attack or bite someone and cause death are guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which faces a fine not exceeding $7,500, 15 or more years of imprisonment, or both. 

Owners of an animal that was previously declared dangerous and attacked someone who sustained injuries must pay a fine of between $250 and $500, face imprisonment of not exceeding 90 days, perform 240 hours of community service, or a combination of these. 

Reporting and Handling Dog Bite Incidents

Any animal that has bitten someone must be reported to the local public health agency where the bitten person resides or where the incident took place within 24 hours. For example, victims residing in Livingston County must call the Health Department at 517-546-9850 to complete a bite report, while those living in Muskegon County must contact 231-724-1228 and submit the Animal Bite Reporting Form. 

The public health agency is responsible for investigating the attack, which involves assessing the risk of rabies exposure and arranging for the confinement and capture of the dog for a 10-day quarantine period. If the animal shows no sign of rabies symptoms, they are released from confinement. However, if they are positive for rabies during the quarantine period, they will be euthanized. 

Victims of dog bites must get away from the dog as far as possible to prevent further attacks. They must seek medical attention, get the contact information of the dog owner and witnesses, collect documentary evidence, and report the incident to the local animal control center. 

They must also seek legal assistance from dog bite attorneys to guide them in the legal system, which involves proving negligence, negotiating settlements, and obtaining compensation.     

How To Find a Dog Bite Attorney in Michigan

On top of recuperating from catastrophic losses, including physical injuries, emotional distress, and mental anguish, victims of dog bite and attack incidents must fight for injustices and secure their entitled compensatory damages. 

In line with this, hiring a Michigan dog bite attorney can help them with these predicaments, including assisting them in establishing fault, crafting legal arguments and negotiation strategies, and advocating for their rights in and outside the courtroom.   

Other Resources for Dog Bite Victims in Michigan

Detroit Animal Care and Control

Detroit Animal Control protects the safety of the residents and visitors of Detroit City from animal bites and attacks. It responds to dog bite incidents, investigates dangerous animal complaints, and issues citations to owners whose animal violates the city ordinance. For reports and complaints, contact 313-922-3647, available Sunday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Oakland County Michigan Animal Control

Oakland County Michigan Animal Control responds to animal attack incidents, including potential exposure to rabid animals and actual physical bites from dogs. The agency works with the Communicable Disease Unit to ensure involved individuals are treated and not exposed to rabies. To report incidents, call 248-858-1286 from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact 248-858-0931 for incidents after business hours. 

Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement

Animal Services and Enforcement investigates animal-related incidents, including attacks, bites, and rabies exposure, involving domestic animals and residents in Kalamazoo County. The facility is also responsible for investigating if the dog has rabies or if a victim is at risk for rabies. For questions and complaints, contact 269-383-8775 or visit the office at 1316 Lamont Avenue

Kalamazoo, MI 49048.