When A Dog Bites
MCL 287.351 — the owner is liable, whatever the dog's history
If a dog bites a person without provocation, while the person is on public property or lawfully on private property, the dog owner's own property included, the owner is liable for the damages the person suffers. That holds regardless of whether the dog was vicious before or whether the owner knew it was.
Lawfully on the owner's property includes someone there performing a duty under state law or under federal law or postal regulations, and an invitee or licensee of whoever lawfully possesses the property. It does not include someone who entered to commit an unlawful or criminal act.
What counts as provocation, the time allowed to bring a claim, and the rules on dangerous dogs are set out elsewhere and are not covered here.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 287.351 — Liability of a dog owner for a bite
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.