Michigan Leash Laws Protect Runners and Cyclists
We’ve all had it happen to us. Cyclists, runners, even simply walking around town or in the woods, we’ve had a run-in with a dog. It’s important for athletes, families, and dog owners to know the law about leashes.
We’ll start with a personal story. Riding on a local trail one morning, I came up behind a walker and his dog. I’d seen the pair dozens of times, one of those early-risers that likes to hit the woods before anyone else. I rang my bell, waited for the elderly man to sidle over. His dog moved over with him, without so much as a word from its owner. I’d passed this pup now plenty of times without incident, even though the dog was never on a leash.
Maybe more than that, the dog didn’t have a collar with which to attach a leash, and I’d never seen the owner carrying a leash. Instead, the dog had a weather-worn bandana tied around its neck, more fashion than function. A black retriever with plenty of character, I must say that, to this day, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a friendly dog or one that was more obedient.
About fifteen minutes later, as I completed another lap and another long, grinding climb, I came up behind the pair still walking, this time on a rather steep and loose section of a hill. They were just around a perhaps ninety-degree bend. I rang my bell, softly but audibly adding in an, “On your left” that the man heard and obeyed. What happened next, I honestly can’t say. Just as I pulled alongside the man, the dog turned, crouched, and lunged. I was shocked; it was the last reaction I or the dog’s owner had expected. I was going slow enough to simply put a foot down, which was enough to get the dog off me and cowering back away from the trail. I had long, baggy pants on for the cold, and the dog bit half on those thick pants and half on the top of my winter riding boots.
You could hardly see the teeth marks, but it was an alarming and tense situation nonetheless. The owner chastised his dog, just as surprised as I was. He begged me not to report the dog, and I quickly agreed and told him not to worry about it, riding off and heading home, rather than come across the pair again that day.
It’s a lesson that everyone can benefit from. Both owners and athletes can never truly, completely trust dogs out in public, and even the best behaved dog can suddenly startle and strike. On the road and certainly on the trails, dogs and athletes have a checkered past of co-existence, with sometimes savage attacks resulting in serious bodily harm. Communities often have heated debates on dog owners’ rights and access to trails, parks, and other public spaces.
The law is extremely clear. In Michigan, all dogs needs to be on a leash in public. That means in the woods, at the park, on the road, or anywhere off your personal property. The language is explicit, and puts all liability on damages produced by a dog squarely on its owner. On a leash or not, you are always responsible for your dog, but off leash makes an owners’ liability even more clear.
In the event of a bit or incident, there are only two exceptions. The first involves trespassers, describes dogs attacking an intruder. The second includes legislation on provocation, where the animal is provoked. Both involve serious interpretation and a long legal process to determine.
For athletes, it’s worth noting that any incident involving dogs that results in harm should be reported. That means even if there’s no bite, the dog owner is liable. For example, if a mountain biker swerves to avoid an off-leash dog and crashes into a tree, that’s a legitimate case.
We love dogs. They’re a gift and one of life’s most simple joys. But dog owners need to take responsibility to follow the law and ensure the safety of themselves, their dogs, and others. You can read more about dog leash laws, dog licenses, and more here.