In California, the dog owner is the primary liable party when their pet attacks or bites someone. Under California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs — even if the animal had never bitten anyone before or shown signs of aggression.
This means that you do not need to prove negligence; it’s enough to show that the bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property. In most cases, the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will cover the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, and other damages related to the incident.
However, other parties may also share liability depending on the circumstances. A landlord could be held responsible if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to remove or restrain it, while a property manager or business owner might face liability for allowing a known aggressive dog on their premises.
Likewise, dog walkers, sitters, or caretakers can be held accountable if their negligence — such as ignoring leash laws or failing to control the dog — directly contributed to the attack.
How to Prove Negligence in Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits
Although California’s strict liability law does not require victims to prove negligence in most dog bite cases, showing that the owner or another party acted negligently can strengthen your claim — especially when seeking non-bite damages such as those from being knocked down, chased, or attacked without an actual bite.
To prove negligence, your attorney must show that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty (for example, by failing to leash or restrain the dog), and that this failure directly caused your injuries and losses. Evidence like witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and prior complaints about the dog can help establish this connection.
Negligence may also apply when others besides the owner contributed to the attack. A landlord who ignored previous reports of an aggressive dog, a dog sitter who failed to control the animal, or a business owner who allowed pets in unsafe areas could all be held liable. A skilled Los Angeles dog bite attorney can help collect and present the necessary evidence to prove each party’s negligence, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation allowed by California law.