When a dog bite happens at a rental property, apartment complex or mobile home park, people often ask whether the landlord is responsible. The answer depends on the facts — and even when the landlord isn’t liable, the tenant’s renter’s insurance often is.
The owner is the primary responsible party
Michigan’s dog bite statute places liability on the dog’s owner. So the first place we look is the owner — and the owner’s renter’s insurance, which usually includes liability coverage for dog bites. Learn who pays for a dog bite.
When a landlord may share responsibility
Michigan courts are generally cautious about holding landlords responsible for a tenant’s dog. But a landlord may share responsibility in some situations, depending on the facts, such as when:
- The landlord knew the dog was dangerous — for example, after prior complaints or bites — and had the ability to act;
- The bite happened in a common area the landlord controls, such as a hallway, courtyard or parking lot;
- The landlord was keeping or caring for the dog; or
- The landlord violated its own lease rules or local ordinances in a way that contributed to the attack.
Evidence that matters in landlord cases
- Prior complaints to the landlord or management company about the dog
- Prior animal control reports or bite incidents
- The lease and any pet policy or breed restrictions
- Where exactly the bite occurred
This evidence can disappear, so contact us early. Get a free case review.
Frequently asked questions
I was bitten by a tenant’s dog. Can I sue the landlord?
Sometimes, but it’s harder than a claim against the owner. Michigan’s dog bite statute applies to the dog’s owner. A landlord may share responsibility under other legal theories depending on the facts — for example, whether the landlord knew the dog was dangerous and whether the bite happened in an area the landlord controlled. We evaluate every possible source of recovery.