Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Michigan
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: MCL § 287.351 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from date of bite/injury, under MCL § 287.351.
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Under MCL § 287.351, you have 3 years from date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Michigan. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Michigan-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Michigan Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 3 years | MCL § 287.351 |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | MCL § 600.5838a (medical-malpractice accrual/limitations); MCL § 600.5805(8) (2-year period) |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2922; § 600.5805(2) |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | MCL § 600.5805(11) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | MCL 600.5807 |
When the Clock Starts
In Michigan, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Michigan does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Michigan imposes strict liability for dog bites under MCL § 287.351 regardless of the owner's prior knowledge of viciousness. The 3-year personal injury SOL under MCL § 600.5805(2) applies.
Source: MCL § 287.351, official Michigan statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Michigan government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Michigan Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 3 years | MCL § 287.351 |
| Ohio | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Indiana | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
| Wisconsin | 3 yrs | Wis. Stat. § 174.02; SOL: § 893.54 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Michigan?
You have 3 years from date of bite/injury, under MCL § 287.351.
Can I still sue after 3 years in Michigan?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Michigan generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
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Sources
- Official MCL § 287.351 - Dog Bite Strict Liability
- Corroborating Justia - MCL § 287.351
- Corroborating Nolo - Michigan Dog Bite Laws
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Michigan attorney.