Dog Bites Common-Law Negligence

The term "common-law" merely refers to the body of law that has developed over time, from accumulating appellate court cases, dealing with specific subjects. Generally speaking, when a cases is appealed to a higher court, that higher court's ruling can have the force of law, because that higher court is interpreting what they consider to be the then current state of the law, on any particular subject. The term "common-law negligence" merely refers to the body of law that has developed over time, on the specific subject of negligence, its elements and defenses.

In order to prove a "common-law negligence" case, one must show that:

The bite victim was in a public place, or was lawfully on the property of the owner, or the one in lawful possession of the animal; and
Either:
1. That the owner, or dog-sitter had actual knowledge, before the incident, that the dog had vicious tendencies ("actual notice"); or
2. That the owner, or dog-sitter had the dog long enough, before the incident, to know that the dog had vicious tendencies. If the owner or dog sitter had the dog for a long enough period of time, it would be irrelevant that he/she did not actually know; the law would say that they "should have known", by virtue of the long period of time they had the dog in their care ("constructive notice"); or
3. There was some other negligent act/omission by the owner/dog-sitter, that caused the attack to occur; and
The dog attacked; and
Damages were sustained.

Learn more about Michigan Dog Bite Laws & Protections.

Dog Bites - Provocation

A dog owner will not be liable if it can be shown that the bite victim somehow provoked the dog. There is no hard and fast rule as to what constitutes provocation; it should be judged on a case by case basis, which means it should be decided by a jury, at time of trial, and not by a judge on a Motion for Dismissal (aka Motion for Summary Disposition; see Civil Court Procedure page)
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What If The Dog Bit Me While Being Kept By Non-Owner

Non-ownership of the dog, is a defense only to the strict liability provisions of MCLA §287.351. For example, if you are babysitting a dog, while its owner is out-of-town, and (heaven forbid) the dog attacks someone on your property, you cannot be sued under the strict liability provisions of the statute, nor can you sue the dog-sitter under the statute. However, you can sue and be sued, under a theory of common-law negligence, which is preserved in Michigan law under MCLA §287.288.
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Defenses Under The Dog Bite Statute

Provocation.
Trespassing.
Initial lawful entry onto property, followed by proof of victim's criminal/unlawful purpose for being on the property.
No damages. Just getting bitten, does not create a right to sue, or to make a claim. There must be a showing of damage to the bite victim.

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