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)

Examples of Provocation

Approaching an unfamiliar dog;
Hitting a dog;
Ignoring written warnings, or verbal warnings from dog owners (e.g., "Beware of Dog" sign);
Letting your dog antagonize an unfamiliar dog, without attempting to restrain your own animal;
Letting your child approach an unfamiliar dog (while sometimes unsuccessful, the provocation defense is often floated by defense attorneys, in cases where a young child approaches an animal that really is not "such a nice doggie".
Anything else a defense attorney can convince a jury was sufficiently provocative conduct.

Learn more about Michigan Dog Bite Laws & Protections.

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.
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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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