Riverside Dog Bite Lawyers

Applicable Dog Bite Laws In Riverside, California

California, and by extension all localities within, enforces a “strict liability” law for dog owners. Strict liability refers to a legal principle where a party is held responsible for their actions or the actions of others, regardless of intent or negligence. In the context of dog ownership, this means that dog owners can be held accountable for any injuries or damages caused by their pets, even if they took necessary precautions to prevent such incidents. This is true whether or not the dog has a history of violence or the owner is aware of its viciousness.

In addition, the owner is responsible for the resulting harm if the victim is bitten in a public place or on private property where the latter had permission or a legal right to be.

Here are some circumstances in which you might be eligible to seek compensation:

• The dog that bit you had never exhibited aggressive behavior previously.
• The dog bit you in a public place because the owner failed to restrain it correctly.
• You were bitten while performing your job on the owner’s property.
• The dog bit you while you were legally on the owner’s property.
• Another person’s dog bit you on someone else’s property.

If any of the above apply to your situation, you may be able to seek payment from the dog’s owner. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Owners might not be held strictly liable if:

• The victim teased or provoked the dog.
• The victim was trespassing at the time of the dog bite attack.
• The bite took place while the victim was performing paid work involving the dog.

Where strict liability does not apply, proving negligence may be necessary. Consult with our Riverside dog bite lawyers to understand your rights and determine whether exceptions apply in your situation.

Other Potentially Liable Parties For Dog Bite Attacks

Under the strict liability statute, dog owners are automatically responsible for the damages suffered by victims. However, certain circumstances may shift the burden to others. These include the following parties:

• Dog Keeper or Caretaker — A pet sitter or animal shelter may be held liable for the bite incident if they were responsible for caring for the dog at the time. Courts consider who had control over the dog during the incident.
• Landlord — A landlord may be held accountable for a dog bite incident if they knew the dog was being kept on the property, were aware of its viciousness, and failed to take action to address the situation. For example, the landlord could have required the dog’s owner to secure the animal or remove it from the premises, but neglected to do so.
• Government — The government may be held responsible in cases involving police or service dogs. If a police dog attacks someone and the use of force is ruled unjustified, the victim may have legal recourse against the authorities.

Although California’s strict liability law often applies to dog bite cases, some situations require proving negligence. Our experienced Riverside lawyers, who handle dog bite cases, will gather evidence to help determine the cause of the incident and identify the liable party.