Not every dog injury involves a bite. People are hurt every day when a dog jumps on them, knocks them down, trips them, or chases them into a fall or into traffic. These injuries can be serious — broken hips and wrists, head injuries, torn ligaments — especially for older adults and children. Yet many people never realize they may have a claim.
How these claims work in Michigan
Michigan’s dog bite statute applies to bites. When a dog injures someone without biting, the claim usually rests on one of two other legal theories:
- Negligence. A dog owner must use reasonable care to control their dog. Letting a dog run loose, ignoring a leash ordinance, or failing to secure a gate can be negligent.
- Known dangerous tendencies. An owner who knew their dog had a tendency to jump on, chase or knock down people can be held responsible for injuries caused by that behavior.
Local leash laws and animal control ordinances can be important evidence that an owner didn’t use reasonable care.
Common non-bite dog injuries
- Being knocked down by a large or excited dog
- Tripping over a dog or its leash
- Falling while running from a charging dog
- Bicycle and motorcycle crashes caused by a dog darting into the road
- Scratches that become infected
Who pays?
As with bites, these claims are usually paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Learn more about dog injury insurance.
What to do now
Get medical care, report the incident to animal control, write down exactly what the dog did and whether it was leashed, and get the names of any witnesses. Then talk to us for free. These claims depend heavily on the facts, and early evidence matters.
Frequently asked questions
A dog jumped on me and I fell and broke my wrist. Do I have a case?
Possibly. Michigan’s dog bite statute covers bites, but injuries from a dog knocking someone down can support a claim based on the owner’s negligence — for example, not leashing or controlling the dog — or on the owner’s knowledge that the dog was dangerous. These claims are usually paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
I swerved my car or bike to avoid a loose dog and got hurt. Who is responsible?
Depending on the facts, the dog’s owner may be responsible for letting the dog run loose. If a vehicle was involved, Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance rules may apply as well. These cases are fact-specific — call us to talk it through.