RESPONSIBLE PARTIES: Can anyone else, other than the dog owner, under California law, be responsible for a dog bite to another that caused bodily injury?

A:

The California dog bite statute imposes strict liability solely on the dog owner.

However, any person might be liable if he or she was negligent or maintained custody or control of the dog with knowledge that the dog was dangerous. This can include a landlord, for instance.  In cities with a "leash law," violation of the leash law constitutes a form of negligence too, and should not be overlooked.  The California dog bite victim can direct a legal claim to other possible defendants, including employers, companies, and dog breeders. It is even possible to make a legal claim against someone who negligently entrusted a dog to another person who could not control it, like a child. This analysis goes to reasonableness of the control.  Also, legal claims against people other than the dog owner might be crucial under certain circumstances, such as when the dog owner lacks insurance.  Therefore,  a good and experienced California dog bite lawyer needs to be retained to look at possible "other" defendants.
 

More Legal Questions About San Diego California Dog Bites?

Do you have more legal questions about San Diego California dog bite injury or animal attack cases?  Return to the California Dog Bites and Animal Attacks Frequently Asked Legal Questions page.  

The Law Offices of Mark C. Blane, APC

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  The San Diego California Dog Bite Attorney that offers FREE Legal Help Injury Books for your Dog Bite Injury Claim  BEFORE you need to speak to a Lawyer, a Claims Adjuster, or signs any Forms; also we represent clients across Southern California including the following areas: 

Alpine, Bonita, Camp Pendleton, Cardiff by the Sea, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, Downtown San Diego, El Cajon, El Centro, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Julian, La Jolla, Lakeside, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Pacific Beach, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo,San Marcos, Santee, Rancho Bernardo, Ramona, San Diego, Solana Beach, Spring Valley, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, San Ysidro, Julian,Lakeside, Vista and all other areas in San Diego County. We also proudly serve the following Southern California areas of: Imperial,Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern Counties.