California injury laws
Civil Code § 3342: dog bites
A dog's owner is liable for damages when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property, regardless of whether the dog was known to be dangerous. Report the bite to local animal services and get medical care; bite wounds can become infected.
What the law says
A dog's owner is liable for damages when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property, regardless of whether the dog was known to be dangerous.
Official text (excerpt)
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
Read the full section on the official site
Why it matters in an injury claim
Report the bite to local animal services and get medical care; bite wounds can become infected.
Related pages
- Premises liabilityFalls and injuries on unsafe stores, apartments and public property.
- Dog bites and animal attacksStrict liability, reporting, quarantine and deadlines.
- Animal control by cityWho takes bite reports in each of the 28 cities.
- Bite reports and rabies quarantineWhy bites are reported and what happens to the dog.
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