California Dog Bite Law

There are exceptions to a dog owner s liability though.

California dog bite law. It is estimated that approximately five million persons in the u s. Civil liability for dog bites. Children are more than twice as likely as adults to be victims of dog bites. The damages were caused by a dog bite and.

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. California dog bite laws start off clearly. This contrasts with the one bite rule in effect in other states by which the owner is only held liable if the. 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.

The person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. California civil code section 3342 3324 5. 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. 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 s laws on dangerous dogs. The vast majority of animal bites in the united states are inflicted by dogs. California is a statutory strict liability state. California dog bite law imposes strict liability on owners.

California penal code section 398 399 5. California s dog bite law section 3342 of the civil code states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages if. Civil code 3342. Civil code 3342 is the calfornia dog bite statute it outlines when dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dog.

In california civil code section 3342 a the very first sentence reads 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. Are bitten by dogs each year. Most dog bites are mild but many result in injuries and infections that need medical care. California s dog bite statute.

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. 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.