Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers and Animal Attack Attorneys

Last updated July 14, 2026 | Reviewed by Donna MacKenzie, Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer

A dog attack can happen in a place that feels completely ordinary: on a sidewalk, at a relative’s home, or in a neighbor’s yard. The injuries, however, may be anything but ordinary. A bite can lead to infection, nerve damage, permanent scarring, reconstructive surgery, and a lasting fear of animals. Even an incident that does not involve a bite can cause serious harm when a dog knocks someone down or chases a person into danger.

Michigan law gives injured people several ways to hold a dog owner responsible. The right claim depends on how the injury happened, whether there was a bite, and what the owner knew about the animal before the incident. Insurance coverage and the full extent of the medical harm also have to be identified before a case can be valued fairly.

Olsman MacKenzie Peacock represents adults and children injured by dogs throughout Michigan. Our attorneys work with registered nurses on staff to review the medical record, document future care needs, and understand how the injury has affected everyday life. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so clients do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for them.

For a free consultation, call 1.800.366.8653. We can explain which Michigan laws may apply, deal directly with the insurance company, and help you decide what to do next.

What Does Michigan Law Say About Dog Bites?

Michigan recognizes both statutory and common-law claims arising from dog attacks. The state’s dog-bite statute, MCL 287.351, applies when a dog actually bites someone. Other legal theories may apply when a dog causes an injury without biting, such as by knocking a person down, lunging, or giving chase.

The distinction matters. A statutory bite claim generally does not require proof that the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. A non-bite claim usually requires evidence about the owner’s conduct, the dog’s prior behavior, or both.

How Michigan’s Strict-Liability Dog-Bite Statute Works

Under MCL 287.351, a dog owner is liable when the dog bites a person without provocation while that person is on public property or lawfully on private property. Liability does not depend on whether the dog had bitten before or whether the owner believed the animal was friendly.

That is why Michigan is often described as a strict-liability state for dog bites. When the requirements of the statute are met, the injured person does not have to prove that the owner acted negligently.

Does Michigan Follow the One-Bite Rule?

No. Michigan does not follow a one-bite rule. A dog owner may be responsible the first time the dog bites someone, even when the animal has no known history of aggression. Prior behavior may still matter in a separate common-law claim, but it is not required to establish liability under the statute.

What Must Be Proven Under MCL 287.351?

A statutory claim generally requires proof of three points:

• The dog bit the injured person.
• The bite occurred without provocation.
• The injured person was on public property or was lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property.

A guest, customer, contractor, postal carrier, or other person who has permission or a lawful reason to be on the property is ordinarily protected by the statute. Someone who entered to commit an unlawful or criminal act may not be.

Can Someone Recover for an Injury That Did Not Involve a Bite?

Yes. Dogs cause serious injuries in ways that do not involve teeth. A large dog may knock an older visitor to the ground, charge at a cyclist who then crashes, or chase a jogger into traffic. Children may be hurt while trying to get away from an aggressive animal. These incidents fall outside the dog-bite statute, but they may still support a claim under Michigan common law.

Many non-bite injuries resemble slip and fall accidents because the impact with the ground causes the most serious harm. The legal question is whether the owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling the dog or knew that the animal had dangerous tendencies.

Depending on the facts, the claim may be based on ordinary negligence, common-law strict liability, or a violation of Michigan’s leash law, MCL 287.262. Evidence such as prior complaints, animal-control reports, witness accounts, fencing, leash use, and the dog’s history can be important.

What Injuries Are Common After a Dog Attack?

Puncture wounds and lacerations are common, but they are not the only injuries these cases involve. A dog’s bite can crush tissue, fracture bone, damage tendons, and injure nerves. Wounds may become infected and sometimes require hospitalization. Facial injuries can leave permanent scars and may call for more than one reconstructive procedure.

Children often suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck because of their height. Older adults may sustain fractures or other complications after being knocked down. Many victims also experience anxiety, nightmares, sleep problems, or post-traumatic stress. Those emotional effects are part of the injury and should not be dismissed simply because they are harder to see.

What Should You Do After a Dog Attack?

Your health comes first. Even a wound that appears minor should be evaluated because dog bites can introduce bacteria below the surface of the skin. When possible, take the following steps:

• Seek prompt medical care and follow the treatment plan.
• Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
• Ask for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination.
• Report the incident to local animal control or law enforcement.
• Photograph the wounds, torn clothing, location, fencing, and the dog, if it can be done safely.
• Collect the names and contact information of witnesses.
• Save medical bills, receipts, work-loss records, and photographs showing how the injury changes over time.

Do not assume that a claim is too small or that the owner’s insurance company will handle it fairly. Scarring, nerve damage, infection, and emotional symptoms may take time to evaluate.

How Does a Michigan Dog-Attack Claim Begin?

Most claims begin with an investigation and an insurance claim, not an immediate lawsuit. Homeowners and renters policies often provide coverage, although exclusions, policy limits, and coverage disputes can complicate the process.

An attorney will usually identify the dog owner, confirm where and how the incident occurred, preserve photographs and witness statements, request animal-control records, and locate all available insurance. Medical records are then reviewed to connect the injuries to the attack and determine whether future treatment is likely.

Once the medical picture is reasonably clear, the claim may be presented to the insurer for settlement. A lawsuit may be necessary when liability is disputed, coverage is denied, or the company refuses to offer an amount that reflects the full harm.

What if the Dog Belongs to a Friend or Family Member?

Many attacks involve a dog owned by someone the injured person knows. That can make the decision to bring a claim uncomfortable. In most cases, however, the claim is handled through homeowners or renters insurance rather than paid directly by the friend or relative.

Our attorneys can communicate with the insurer and manage the claim in a way that minimizes unnecessary conflict. The goal is to secure the coverage purchased for this type of loss, not to damage a personal relationship.

Can Anyone Besides the Dog Owner Be Responsible?

The statutory claim is directed at the dog’s owner, but other parties may be responsible under common law. A person who keeps or harbors the animal may face liability when that person has meaningful possession or control. A short-term caretaker is not automatically treated as an owner or keeper, so the details matter.

Landlords are not usually liable for a tenant’s dog, but exceptions may arise when a landlord retained control over the area where the attack occurred or knew that a dangerous animal was being kept there. In some cases, these issues overlap with premises liability. A careful investigation should consider every responsible party and every possible source of coverage.

What Compensation May Be Available?

A Michigan dog-attack claim may include both economic and non-economic damages. The amount depends on the medical evidence, the effect on the injured person’s life, the available insurance, and whether any part of the claim is disputed.

Potential damages may include:

• Emergency care, surgery, medication, therapy, and other medical expenses.
• Future treatment, including scar revision or reconstructive procedures.
• Lost income and reduced earning ability.
• Physical pain and limitations.
• Scarring and disfigurement.
• Anxiety, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Our overview of compensation under Michigan law explains these categories in more detail. Michigan does not impose a fixed cap on pain-and-suffering damages in an ordinary dog-bite case. The factors juries consider may include the victim’s age, the location and permanence of scarring, the need for future care, and the circumstances of the attack.

Insurers paid approximately $1.86 billion for dog-related injury claims nationwide in 2025, with an average payment of roughly $65,450.” Interestingly, while total payouts and claim counts both rose sharply, the average per-claim cost actually dropped slightly year-over-year — which arguably reinforces your point that an average isn’t a reliable predictor for any single case, since severity/mix can swing the average even as volume and total cost climb.

Why Early Settlement Offers Deserve Careful Review

An insurance adjuster may contact the injured person soon after the incident, sometimes before the long-term effects are known. An early offer may omit future scar treatment, counseling, wage loss, or the full value of pain and emotional harm.

Before accepting a settlement or giving a recorded statement, it is wise to understand how insurance companies seek to deny liability and reduce the value of claims. A settlement generally ends the case, so it should not be accepted until the injuries and likely future needs have been evaluated.

What Happens During a Dog-Bite Case?

Every case develops differently, but the basic stages are similar. First comes the investigation. The legal team gathers reports, photographs, witness statements, insurance information, and evidence about the dog’s history. The second stage focuses on medical treatment and documentation. When the condition has stabilized enough to understand the prognosis, the claim can be valued and presented to the insurance company.

Many cases settle through negotiation. If they do not, a lawsuit allows the attorneys to obtain testimony and records through the discovery process and, when necessary, present the case to a judge or jury. No settlement should be accepted without the client’s approval.

Straightforward claims may resolve in a matter of months. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed provocation, uncertain insurance coverage, or litigation can take longer. Moving too quickly may leave important future damages out of the calculation.

What Defenses Are Common?

Provocation is the defense raised most often under Michigan’s dog-bite statute. The owner or insurer may claim that the injured person hit, teased, startled, or otherwise provoked the dog. The response must be considered in context, and the dog’s reaction must be proportionate to the alleged conduct. A minor or accidental act does not automatically justify a severe attack.

A dog owner may also argue that the injured person was trespassing, assumed the risk, or was dealing with someone else who controlled the animal. Non-bite cases may turn on whether the owner knew of dangerous behavior or used reasonable care. Prompt investigation helps preserve the evidence needed to answer these defenses.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Michigan generally allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit arising from a dog bite or other dog-related injury. MCL 600.5805(2) supplies the three-year limitations period.

Different rules may apply to a child. Under MCL 600.5851, a minor may generally have until one year after turning 18 to file, even when that date is later than the ordinary three-year deadline. Waiting is still risky. Witnesses become harder to find, surveillance footage may be erased, and memories fade. Legal advice early in the process helps protect both the claim and the evidence.

Why Work With a Michigan Dog-Bite Lawyer?

These cases are often described as straightforward, but the difficult questions usually appear after the initial report. Was the injured person lawfully on the property? Does the conduct amount to provocation? Is the case governed by the statute, common law, or both? Does the policy cover the dog? What will future scar treatment cost? How should psychological harm be documented?

An attorney familiar with Michigan dog law can address those issues, obtain records that may not be available to the injured person, and prevent the insurer from controlling the pace and scope of the investigation. Medical knowledge is equally important. Our registered nurses help the legal team review wounds, surgeries, infections, nerve injuries, and future treatment recommendations so the demand reflects more than the bills already received.

What Do Clients Say About Olsman MacKenzie Peacock?

Clients often come to our firm during a difficult and uncertain period. Their reviews describe the accessibility, care, and persistence they experienced while working with our attorneys. Additional verified feedback is available on our personal injury reviews page.

See more verified personal injury reviews.

Anonymous | FindLaw 5-Star Review: “If you are seeking an attorney who is not only skilled but also genuinely invested in her clients’ success, Emily Peacock is an outstanding choice.”

L.W. | Google 5-Star Review: “Donna MacKenzie was absolutely great. She was always accessible when I had questions. Every person I spoke with at the office was so helpful.”

J.P. | Personal Injury Case | Google 5-Star Review: “Chrissy Hagen and her team is the BEST of the BEST. From the moment we first talked: she was compassionate and empathetic. Her knowledge and expertise eased the process following my son’s accident, communicating every step of the case. She spent endless hours talking to us, getting to know us, and shows that she truly cares about every aspect a person goes through in such difficult times. Navigating through auto insurance and continued medical care is hard.  The support she provided was relentless and heart felt. Her competence and awareness is incredible. I can’t thank Chrissy and her team enough for getting the best outcome for us. HIGHLY recommended.”

A Dog-Bite Result for an Injured Child

Our firm recovered a $100,000 policy-limit settlement from a homeowner’s insurer after a dog attacked and bit a child. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The result in any matter depends on the facts, injuries, insurance coverage, and applicable law.

Additional significant settlements and verdicts are available on our results page.

Do You Need a Detroit Dog-Bite Lawyer Near You?

Olsman MacKenzie Peacock represents clients across Michigan from offices in Berkley in metro Detroit, Lapeer, and Battle Creek. Our attorneys handle claims in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and surrounding counties and work with injured people throughout the state.

Many parts of a claim can be handled by phone, email, and video conference. When an injury or mobility issue makes travel difficult, our team can discuss practical arrangements for the consultation and case.

How Common Are Dog Bites?

Frequently cited estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that about 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year and that hundreds of thousands require medical attention. Nearly 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for bite injuries on an average day.

The numbers are useful for showing how common these incidents are, but they do not describe the effect on a particular person. A bite may mean weeks of wound care, missed work, repeated procedures, visible scarring, or a child who is suddenly afraid to play outside. A legal claim is intended to address those individual losses.

Can Dog Attacks Be Prevented?

Many attacks can be prevented through ordinary precautions. Children should be taught to ask before approaching a dog and to leave animals alone while they are eating, sleeping, injured, or caring for puppies. Young children should not be left alone with a dog, even a familiar pet.

Owners should use secure fencing and appropriate leashes, pay attention to signs of fear or aggression, and warn visitors when a dog needs space. When an owner ignores known risks or fails to control the animal, Michigan law may provide a remedy for the person who is hurt.

Talk With a Michigan Dog-Bite Attorney

Olsman MacKenzie Peacock handles bite cases and other injuries caused by dogs, including knockdowns and chase-related incidents. We investigate the event, identify insurance coverage, review the medical evidence with our staff nurses, negotiate with the insurer, and file suit when litigation is necessary.

Call 1.800.366.8653 for a free consultation. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.