Dog Bite in a Sherman Oaks Park: What Are Your Rights?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Sherman Oaks has a number of popular parks and outdoor spaces where residents walk, exercise, and socialize with their dogs. While most of these interactions are harmless, dog attacks in parks do happen, and when they do, California law gives victims strong legal protections. If you were bitten by a dog in a Sherman Oaks park, you have the right to pursue full compensation from the dog's owner.

California Law Covers Public Park Dog Bites

California Civil Code section 3342 explicitly covers dog bites that occur in public places. Parks are public places. Whether you were bitten in a designated dog park area or anywhere else in a Sherman Oaks public park, you were lawfully in a public space, and California's strict liability rule applies. The dog's owner is liable for your injuries without any need to prove negligence or prior dangerous behavior by the dog.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in a Park

• Get away from the dog safely. Do not attempt to confront the dog or its owner aggressively. Your safety comes first.
• Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask for proof of the dog's vaccination status, particularly rabies vaccination.
• Call 911 if the attack is serious. Severe bites or attacks involving children may require emergency medical response. Paramedics can treat wounds on-site and transport to Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd if needed.
• Report to LA County Animal Control. Animal Control documents the incident, verifies vaccination status, and investigates the attack. This report creates an official record that supports your legal claim.
• Photograph your injuries immediately. Take photos of bite wounds before they are cleaned, bandaged, or treated. Document the scene, including any witnesses in the park.
• Get witness contact information. Other park visitors who saw the attack may provide valuable testimony about how the incident happened.
• Seek medical attention promptly. Dog bites carry a significant risk of infection and may require antibiotics, stitches, or other treatment. Go to Sherman Oaks Hospital or your doctor right away.

Leash Laws and Negligence

LA County and the City of Los Angeles require dogs in public places to be kept on a leash. If the dog that bit you was off-leash in a leash-required area, the owner was violating a legal duty. This violation does not change the strict liability analysis, but it can be used as additional evidence of negligence in support of your claim.

Designated off-leash dog park areas are an exception, but even there, owners have a duty to control their dogs. If an off-leash dog attacks you in a designated off-leash area, the owner's strict liability remains in place.

What Compensation Is Available?

Park dog bite victims in Sherman Oaks can pursue:

• Medical bills for wound treatment, antibiotics, and any reconstructive care
• Lost wages if the injuries affected your ability to work
• Scarring and disfigurement damages, which are especially significant for facial or hand wounds
• Psychological damages including fear and anxiety following the attack
• Pain and suffering

Who Pays?

The dog owner's homeowner or renter's insurance typically covers dog bite liability, even when the bite occurs away from the home in a park or other public space. Your attorney will identify the applicable policy and pursue the full claim on your behalf.

If a dog attacked you in a Sherman Oaks park, do not wait to get legal help. Contact a Sherman Oaks dog bite lawyer at L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today for a free consultation.