California Dog Bite Laws: What Happens If Your Dog Bites Someone?

Dogs make wonderful companions, and they can become true members of the family. At the same time, dogs (of all breeds) have the potential to be very dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken. As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to protect other people from the risk posed by your animal. This raises an important question: What happens if your dog bites someone? In California, you can be held strictly liable for the victim’s injury, unless one of the state’s relatively limited defenses applies. Here, our Riverside dog bite lawyer provides a comprehensive guide to the dog bite liability laws in California.

California Dog Bite Laws: What Dog Owners Need to Know

California dog‑bite law (Civil Code § 3342) imposes strict liability on owners when their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. In other words, a dog owner can and will be held liable for a bite injury caused by their animal, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior and/or your knowledge (or lack thereof) of its aggressive tendencies. While not all states have strict liability for dog bites, California does. Dog owners need to be aware of this key feature of the law.

With that being said, there are also defenses against dog bite liability in California. Strict liability is not a synonym for automatic liability. You can defend a dog bite claim because the “victim” was trespassing and/or because your dog was provoked. If the victim was unlawfully on your property, strict liability does not apply. Further, if the dog bite victim knowingly or recklessly provoked your animal, then you may not be strictly liable for the dog bite.

What Happens if Your Dog Bites Someone in California

For dog owners, the thought of their animal biting another person is stressful. It can be scary to have to deal with, especially if you know that you have a good dog. Here is a more comprehensive overview of what will happen if your dog bites someone in California:

     1. You or Someone Else is Required to Report the Incident: California law requires the reporting of dog bites. When a dog bites someone in California, the incident must be reported to local animal control authorities. To be clear, the requirements hold true whether the bite occurs in public or on private property. Animal control will usually open an investigation and may interview witnesses, inspect the property, and evaluate the dog. The fact that your dog bit someone else does not make him or her a “bad” dog. However, it does mean that you will need to take more stringent measures in the future.

     2. The Dog Will Likely Be Quarantined: California law generally requires that a dog who bites a person be quarantined for 10 days to monitor for signs of rabies. It does not mean that the authorities are going to take your dog. The quarantine can take place at the owner’s home in the vast majority of cases. That will happen if the dog is not considered a danger to public safety.

     3. You are (Presumptively) Strictly Liable: Because California follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, the owner is usually held responsible (even if the dog had never shown aggression before). The injured person may file a civil claim to recover damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Insurance, usually a homeowner’s policy, may cover some or all of the costs. With that being said, you may have a defense against strict liability based on trespassing and/or provocation.

     4. Animal Control May Move to Classify Your Dog as “Dangerous”: If the bite caused serious injury or if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior, California law allows animal control to initiate a hearing to determine whether the dog should be classified as “potentially dangerous” or “vicious.” The classification can come with strict requirements, such as mandatory muzzling, confinement rules, behavioral training, or even euthanasia in extreme cases. As the owner, you have the right to a hearing and to contest the findings.

We are Leaders in Dog Bite Law in California

Dog bite law is complicated. It is normal to have a lot of questions about your rights, your responsibilities, and what comes next in the process. At The JLF Firm, we are a solutions-focused law firm with a passion for fighting for justice and the maximum compensation for victims and families. With a proven record of case results, our firm puts victims and their families first. You can set up a free, no-obligation consultation with our Riverside dog bite lawyer today.

Contact Our Riverside, CA Dog Bite Attorney for a Free Case Review

At The JLF Firm, our Riverside dog bite lawyers have the knowledge and experience that you can trust. If you have any specific questions or concerns about dog bite liability in California, we are here to help. Give us a call now or contact our firm online for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.