California Dog Bite Law

Civil code 3342.

California dog bite law. 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. The vast majority of animal bites in the united states are inflicted by dogs. Most dog bites are mild but many result in injuries and infections that need medical care.

California dog bite law. Are bitten by dogs each year. 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. California penal code section 398 399 5.

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 person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. 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. California s laws on dangerous dogs.

California food and agricultural code section 31601 et seq. 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. There are exceptions to a dog owner s liability though. Civil code 3342 is the calfornia dog bite statute it outlines when dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dog.

California is a statutory strict liability state. Children are more than twice as likely as adults to be victims of dog bites. California civil code section 3342 3324 5. 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.

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. Civil liability for dog bites. The damages were caused by a dog bite and. 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.

California dog bite laws start off clearly. California dog bite law imposes strict liability on owners.