California Dog Bite Law

This means the owner of a dog who bites someone is liable in a civil lawsuit for the victim s injuries even if the animal has never bitten before and the owner had no reason to believe the animal was dangerous.

California dog bite law.

California dog bite law. California civil code section 3342 3324 5. The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place including the property of the owner of the dog. Its dog bite statute makes the owner of a dog strictly liable for any dog bite from the moment that ownership begins provided that the victim was not trespassing provoking the dog injured by his employer s dog while on the job or performing a paid service involving the dog.

California is a statutory strict liability state. California s dog bite statute. California food and agricultural code section 31601 et seq. The person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place.

Civil liability for dog bites. California dog bite laws start off clearly. Unlike other states california holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bites this means they can have to compensate victims even if their dog showed no prior signs of aggression. This contrasts with the one bite rule in effect in other states by which the owner is only held liable if the.

California s laws on dangerous dogs. California penal code section 398 399 5. While california s strict liability dog bite statute applies regardless of the animal s history another law makes owners responsible for taking reasonable steps needed to remove any danger of future attacks when their dogs have bitten someone in the past. Civil code 3342 is the calfornia dog bite statute it outlines when dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dog.

The vast majority of animal bites in the united states are inflicted by dogs. Civil code 3342. Most dog bites are mild but many result in injuries and infections that need medical care. A the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place including the property of the owner of the dog regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner s knowledge of such viciousness.

California dog bite law imposes strict liability on owners. There are exceptions to a dog owner s liability though. It is estimated that approximately five million persons in the u s. Are bitten by dogs each year.

California s dog bite law section 3342 of the civil code states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages if. According to california law section 3342 the dog owner is liable for the damages it causes a victim who is bitten by the dog the dog bite can occur in a public or private place including the dog owner s property.