California Dog Bite Laws Explained In Simple English

California Dog Bite Laws are pretty clear. They are also kinder than those of some other states. If a dog in California has bitten you, you can get help from DoNotPay.

California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite laws. The owner of the dog is liable when the dog bites someone. The bite does not need to break the skin as long as the dog completely clamped its jaws around you. California dog bite laws also cover if your dog attacks another dog.

California classifies dogs as personal property, so any lawsuits related to California dog bite law where one dog bites another dog must be filed as a property damage lawsuit.

Animal control departments document dog bites. They keep track of any illegal activities, including how often the dog has bitten someone, the severity of the situation, and if an owner has been held liable for negligence in keeping the dog away from people in the past.

Can You Send Demand Letters To Someone for Dog Bites?

Yes, you can send demand letters to someone for dog bites.

You can send demand letters to someone for negligence in keeping their dog in a safe place segregated from children and other animals. You can also send demand letters to a dog's owner in a personal injury lawsuit to cover medical bills and emotional trauma suffered from the attack.

Who Is Liable if a Dog Bites Someone?

According to California dog bite laws, the dog owner is always liable for the dog’s actions.

The owner is strictly liable if their dog bites someone in either a public place or legally in a private place. For example, if your dog attacks the mailman, you are liable because the mailman was legally on your private property. Any dog attack needs to be reported to animal control.

Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Injuries

You can send demand letters to someone for dog bite injuries as long as it is within the statute of limitations for California dog bite laws. The statute of limitations in California for pursuing a lawsuit for a dog bite injury is two years. This type of lawsuit is always a civil suit.

Dangerous Dog Classification According to California Dog Bite Laws

California dog bite laws cover more than just a bite. It also covers and classifies dangerous dogs.

If a dog attacks or chases down someone was resulting in their getting injured, the owner could be held liable due to the owner’s negligence. In this case, the dog does not necessarily have to bite someone. A dog behaving dangerously, whether it bites someone or just goes after them, should always be reported to animal control.

While California is not a 'one-bite' state, an extremely dangerous dog may be subject to removal from the owner's home. The courts might even order the dog to be euthanized. While a dog will not face this strict judgment following the first bite in most cases, if the injuries are severe enough, exceptions can be made. Usually, a dog has to bite two people in two separate incidents or attack other dogs in multiple separate incidents to qualify for dangerous dog classification. Each report is handled based on the details, and no two cases are the same.

What To Do if a Dog in California Bites me

Here are the steps you should take if a dog in California bites you.

1. Identify who owns the dog.
2. Call Animal Control to report the incident.
3. Tell animal control all details, including where it happened, who the owner is, and damages to your person.
4. Go to the Emergency Room
5. Get your dog bite injuries treated.
6. Ensure you have detailed documentation of your injuries from the doctor in the ER.
7. Call animal control back to update your report.
8. Gather all possible evidence of the attack.
9. Call animal control back again to ask what evidence they need to document on the initial report.
10. Contact a dog bite lawyer.

Next Steps if You Can't Report a California Dog Bite on Your Own

If you are unable to report a California dog bite on your own, you may have options.

Once you have taken all the steps to report a dog bite but still wonder if your report is complete enough, you can speak with an attorney who may charge you a lot of money. You can also consider using DoNotPay to report your California Dog Bite.

Is There an Easier Way to File an Official Animal Report and Get Compensated?

If you want to report an animal-related injury but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 3 easy steps:

1. Search "animal" on DoNotPay, find the Animal Control product, and select whether you've sustained a physical injury.
2. Select whether you would like to report this incident to your local government agency or demand compensation from the pet owner.
3. Tell us more about the incident, including when and where you were injured, a description of the animal that caused the injury, and the contact information for the pet owner (if known).

And that's it. DoNotPay will file the demand letter or government report on your behalf with your incident details. You should hear back from them directly with further questions/confirmation regarding your demands.

We Will Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve

DoNotPay is your best option for reporting a California dog bite.

When you get help from DoNotPay, you know things will be done right.

We Can Help You Handle Other Mundane Tasks, Too

DoNotPay can help you with the following activities:

• Get compensation for a crime against you.
• Contact government representatives.
• Deal with neighbor complaints.
• File in small claims court.

Sign up today to get the compensation you deserve!