Menu
F
r
e
e

C
o
n
s
u
l
t
a
t
i
o
n

Understanding California Dog Bite Laws

On behalf of The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg Posted in Dog Bite

If you have been attacked by a dog in the state of California, understanding the Golden State’s dog bite laws is important. Because California is a so-called “strict liability” state, pet owners are generally held responsible for the injuries their dogs cause others, including those caused by dog bite attacks or certain knockdown injuries sustained when a dog forcibly knocks a person to the ground or causes them to fall. 

In California, whether or not the dog in question had been aggressive in the past is not relevant. However, the policy of strict liability has certain distinct requirements for victims who wish to recover damages from the dog’s owner. The dog bite victim must show that they were bitten by the animal and that the bite occurred in a public place or in a private place—including the property belonging to the dog owner, provided that the victim was there lawfully and not as a trespasser. Notably, people who are on a property for a lawful duty, such as to deliver mail or to drop off a grocery order are considered lawfully present on the property. 

What Constitutes a Bite?

Under the dog bite laws of the state of California, a bite occurs when a dog grabs a person with its teeth, breaking the skin. However, bites do not always have to break the skin to be classified as injurious under California law. For example, if a dog grabs the clothing of someone hired to fix the dog owner’s roof, causing that person to fall to the ground from a ladder, then the dog caused the injury. 

Negligent, Careless Owners

The strict liability statute in California does not cover all instances of injuries caused by dogs. For instance, if a dog chases a motorcycle and causes the motorcyclist to wreck, then the victim is not protected by the state’s dog bite laws. However, if the victim is able to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent and that the injuries they sustained were a result of that negligence, then they may be able to recover compensation. As an example, a dog knocks a woman down on the sidewalk, scratching her eye in the process. If it can be shown that the dog’s owner was careless and did not take reasonable measures to control the dog by leashing it or keeping it behind a fence, then the victim may be able to collect damages. 

Dangerous Dog Laws

The strict liability statute in California is applicable without regard to the offending dog’s history. However, when a dog has proven its dangerous tendencies by biting someone in the past, the onus is on the dog owner to remove any potential for future attacks by taking reasonable steps to protect others from the dog. When a dog bites two times, a civil case can be brought against the dog owner, which may result in the dog being removed from the home or even put to sleep. 

Are You a Dog Bite Victim?

Being bitten by or otherwise injured by a dog can be a frightening experience, leaving the victim with lifelong injuries, scars, and emotional trauma. Reach out to the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg and our dog attack attorney for help. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case or call 310-997-0904.

Arrow Prev Prev Next Arrow Next
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

John Dittrich

Rating Star
Howard's Law Office is undoubtedly the go-to place in Los Angeles for
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robben Sprague

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg and his team were utterly amazing from start to finish
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Schafer

Rating Star
Excellent experience! Howard and his team are smart, competent, honest
Read more
Posted On Google
f

flerida hernandez

Rating Star
The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg were highly recommend by someone I
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Terri Barlow

Rating Star
Despite having to to deal with multiple family members and the death o
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Marina Salazar

Rating Star
What a great!! experience I had with the Law Offices of Howard Kornber
Read more
Posted On Google
P

Pamela LLJUBO

Rating Star
Working with Howard Kornberg and his associates is like having an exte
Read more
Posted On Google
E

E.J. Fortenberry

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg represented me very well in my case resulting in an outsta
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Anna Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg did an impeccable job in representing me in my trial.
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Aviv Brawer-Cohen

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg and his staff are truly outstanding. Their diligent and ho
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alex Saavedra

Rating Star
The people that work here are honest and straight up, Ana and Robert w
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Josie Cruz

Rating Star
I took my "car accident" case to Mr. Kornberg for review. I had been t
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Jack Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard is an amazing lawyer who gets the job done. He's a great guy, h
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Melissa Schoenfeld

Rating Star
My experience with this office and Mr. Kornberg was everything I could
Read more
Posted On Google
H

HugznKisses De La Torre

Rating Star
Howard is a great person to work with and his integrity is unquestione
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Lasser

Rating Star
Howard is a phenomenal, exemplary, kind lawyer who will fight for you
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Charlie Shanes

Rating Star
I needed a good personal injury lawyer, I was injured in a car acciden
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robert Leovy

Rating Star
Does great work and will go out of his way to ensure you get what you
Read more
Posted On Google
j

john nguyen

Rating Star
Friendly people, very professional, very detail oriented, and he will
Read more
Posted On Google
R

R D

Rating Star
HCK and staff are amazing!!
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Connie Kay

Rating Star
Positive: Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alfonso Gonzalex

Rating Star
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
Arrow Next
Arrow Prev