Menu
F
r
e
e

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

When Does A Dog Bite Amount To Criminal Charges In California?

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

While the vast majority of dog bites fall under the category of California civil law, there are cases where the owner of the dog that has bitten or attacked another person can face criminal charges.

Even without facing criminal charges, a California dog owner can get in serious trouble with the law if his or her dog causes permanent scarring, disfiguration, amputation, or other serious bodily injuries to another person.

Our Los Angeles dog bites attorney at Law Offices of Howard Kornberg says that criminal charges can be filed by state officials in California in addition to a civil lawsuit from the injured victim.

When dog owners face criminal charges after a dog bite in California

So in which circumstances are dog bites handled by state officials who can proceed with charging a dog owner with a criminal offense? Criminal charges can be filed against a dog owner only if the victim or his/her experienced dog bite attorney in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California reports the incident to the police.

After the dog attack was reported to local authorities, state officials were notified that this particular dog could be dangerous or vicious. If the dog has been involved in prior incidents in which it harmed another person or animal, the owner of the dog may be charged with a criminal offense. But it is not that simple.

California’s legal definition of a ‘dangerous’ dog

In order to file criminal charges against a dog owner whose dog has bitten or attacked another person, that dog must meet California’s legal definition of a “dangerous” or “vicious” dog.

Under California law, a dangerous dog is a dog that has been involved in at least two incidents in the last three years in which it acted in an aggressive manner that caused another person to defend himself or herself against that dog (but only as long as that dog was not on its own property in those incidents).

Also, if the dog bit or otherwise causes injury to another person without being provoked by the victim, the dog can be considered “dangerous” regardless of the severity of the victim’s injury.

In addition to that, a dog can be deemed “dangerous” if it killed, bit, or injured another domestic animal at least twice in the last three years as long as it was not on its own property.

California’s legal definition of a ‘vicious’ dog

While many people in California think that a “dangerous” and “vicious” dog is the same thing, these two words actually have two completely different legal definitions.

Under California law, a “vicious” dog is a dog owned by a person with a conviction of an offense related to dogfighting; if the dog was aggressive or caused serious injury to another person or killed another person, or the dog was previously listed as “dangerous” but the owner failed to follow the precautions to prevent further incidents.

When a dog bite can amount to criminal charges

Our Los Angeles dog bites attorney at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg explains that dog owners in California may face criminal charges in the following situations:

  • Their dog, which was previously listed as dangerous or vicious, roams free;
  • The dog owner fails to provide reasonable care to restrain the dangerous or vicious dog, and
  • The dog causes serious injury or kills a person who took reasonable steps to protect himself or herself.

Consult with our lawyers at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg to determine whether or not criminal charges will be filed in your particular case. Call our offices at 310-997-0904 for a free case evaluation today.

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