When Does a Michigan Dog Bite Victim Provoke an Attack?

“Provocation” is a legal defense that dog owners often raise in Michigan dog bite lawsuits.

In other words, the Michigan dog owner tries to “blame the victim,” by insisting that the injured person did something to "provoke" the dog to attack.

This argument is almost always wrong.

The dog owner cannot wiggle out of a Michigan dog bite lawsuit, when the dog attack victim lawfully came onto the Michigan dog owner’s property or into the dog owner’s house. In fact, the Michigan Dog Bite Law protects anyone who is not a trespasser.

Michigan dog bite victims who still have legal claims include:

• U.S. Post Office mail carriers
• Private delivery persons
• Newspaper carriers
• Utility meter readers
• Public safety officials like police, firefighters, or emergency medical workers
• Other government employees on official business, like building inspectors, etc
• Friends or relatives of people living in the dog owner’s home, even those who drop by without an invitation

Another way that Michigan dog owners try to use the “provocation” defense is by arguing that the injured victim said or did something that caused the dog to attack. Again, the attempt to shift the blame is usually unsuccessful.

According to the Michigan Dog Bite Statute, a victim has a right to seek compensation, even if the individual was bitten while:

• Yelling, crying, or making other loud noises
• Walking
• Running or jogging
• Bicycling
• Roller skating
• Eating
• Playing with a ball or a toy

At our Michigan dog bite injury law firm, our experienced Michigan dog attack attorneys have been helping dog bite victims for almost 40 years. During this time, we have heard Michigan dog owners offer all kinds of lame explanations why they could not control their dogs and fantastic reasons why victims were responsible for their own injuries.

Fortunately, we know how to protect our Michigan dog bite clients’ rights by showing that these excuses usually are irrelevant under Michigan Dog Bite Law.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan dog attack, contact an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer immediately.

Please click here to make out a simple, free, and confidential consultation form about your Michigan dog attack claim now.

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