A dog bite is a tremendously traumatic experience. Not only can one suffer significant physical injuries, but the psychological impact of a dog bite can be just as devastating. It is important that after one is attacked by a dog they take prompt action. Obtaining medical attention, documentation of the facts of an attack and contacting your local animal control department is very important. Obtaining photographs of the injury and contacting an attorney as soon as possible is equally as important. Every case is different. If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog attack call our office for a free consultation. The statue of limitation for bringing a dog bite case in Michigan is 3 years. Below is a general synopsis of Michigan's strict-liability dog law.

Generally speaking, in Michigan the owner of a dog is strictly liable for injuries sustained by another person bitten by the owner's dog. This is such so long as the dog was not provoked, the incident happened on the dog owner's property and the victim was not a trespasser.

Michigan's dog bite statute states as follows:

287.351 Person bitten by dog; liability of owner.
Sec. 1. (1) If a dog bites a person, without provocation while the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.
(2) A person is lawfully on the private property of the owner of the dog within the meaning of this act if the person is on the owner's property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him or her by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or if the person is on the owner's property as an invitee or licensee of the person lawfully in possession of the property unless said person has gained lawful entry upon the premises for the purpose of an unlawful or criminal act.

Dog owner's are limited to the defenses enumerated in the statute, which include provocation or trespass. In addition to liability based upon the statute, there may be other basis for a claim, including negligence and nuisance. Every case is different. Contact our office for a free consultation.

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