The first recorded instance of the Michigan Dogman occurred in 1887 in Wexford County. Two men stationed in a lumber camp came across what they described as a large dog walking on two legs. While there have been no reported instances of a Michigan Dogman attack on humans, horses have been found that allegedly died of fright.

There are reports of Dogmen in folklore from around the world, dating back to ancient Egypt. In Europe, many witnesses have called them werewolves due to the human movements the creature makes. According to Dogman researcher, Steve Palace, there are more Dogman sightings than bigfoot sightings, see Figure 2.

One of the most notable sightings come from Ray Greenway in 1986 in Manistee. Ray saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes high off the ground in the distance. Whatever it was immediately ran away and leaped clear across the road. Ray recounts, "I saw both eyes, as if it was looking at me, the whole time. That, along with the leaping ability, is what I will never forget."