Michigan Dog Bite Laws

Michigan’s dog bite statute, Mich. Comp. Laws § 287.351, imposes strict liability upon dog owners. Specifically, owners can be held strictly liable for bite injuries caused by their dog while the victim was either on public property or lawfully on private property. The statute specifically states that whether or not the owner knew about the dog’s viciousness is irrelevant for purposes of determining liability. There are exceptions under which the owner would not be held liable, including situations where the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the bite. Strict liability applies only as to bite injuries; in order to recover for non-bite injuries, victims must rely on a different theory of liability such as a negligence claim.