Category: Dog Bites

California is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under Civil Code §3342, an owner is responsible for injuries their dog causes in a public place, or while the victim is lawfully on private property — whether or not the dog had ever shown aggression, and whether or not the owner knew it might bite. That rule is unusually favorable to victims, which is why most dog bite disputes turn not on whether the owner is liable but on what the injury is worth and which exceptions apply.The common defenses are trespass, provocation, and the statutory carve-outs for police and military dogs and for veterinary staff handling an animal in treatment. Damages typically cover emergency care, reconstructive surgery, permanent scarring and disfigurement, lost income, and the lasting psychological effects that often follow an attack on a child. Most claims must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1.The guides below explain how liability is established, what the exceptions mean in practice, and how bite claims are valued in California.