Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Granada Hills?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Granada Hills Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He attended nearby El Camino Real High School, graduated from UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the north Valley communities including Granada Hills.

If a dog bit you in Granada Hills, California law provides a clear answer to who is liable: the dog's owner. California is one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to dog bite liability, and the law strongly favors bite victims. Understanding exactly how liability works will help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Strict Liability Under California Law

California Civil Code Section 3342 establishes strict liability for dog owners. This means the owner of the dog that bit you is legally responsible for your injuries simply because they own the dog. You do not need to prove that the owner was negligent, that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or that the dog had a history of aggression. The only elements you must prove are that the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit you, and you were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite occurred.

This strict liability standard eliminates the "one free bite" rule that exists in some other states. Even if the dog has never shown aggression before, even if the owner took reasonable precautions, and even if the owner had no idea the dog would bite, the owner is liable.

Who Qualifies as the "Owner"

In most Granada Hills dog bite cases, identifying the owner is straightforward. It is the person who owns the dog and lives in the home. But ownership questions can arise in several scenarios.

If the dog was being watched by a friend, family member, or pet sitter when the bite occurred, the legal owner remains liable under strict liability. The person watching the dog may also be liable under a negligence theory if they failed to properly control the animal.

If the dog belongs to a minor child, the parents or legal guardians are typically liable as the responsible parties for the household.

If the dog was a stray with no identifiable owner, strict liability does not apply because there is no owner to hold liable. However, if a person was feeding, sheltering, or otherwise harboring the stray, they may be considered a keeper of the animal and liable under negligence principles.

Landlord Liability for Dog Bites

In some Granada Hills dog bite cases, the landlord of the property where the dog lived may share liability. A landlord can be held liable if they knew the tenant's dog was dangerous and failed to take action, such as requiring the tenant to remove the dog or imposing restrictions. A landlord may also be liable if the property's fencing or gates were inadequate and allowed the dog to escape, and the landlord was responsible for maintaining those structures.

Landlord liability is not automatic. It requires evidence that the landlord had knowledge of the danger and failed to act. But when it applies, it provides an additional source of insurance coverage, since the landlord's property insurance is separate from the tenant's renter's insurance.

When a Property Owner May Be Liable

If you were bitten at a business in Granada Hills, such as a pet store, grooming facility, or veterinary clinic, the business may be liable under both strict liability (if the business owns the dog) and premises liability (if the business failed to provide a safe environment). Businesses on Chatsworth St, Balboa Blvd, and throughout the community that allow dogs on their premises have a duty to protect customers from animal attacks.

If you were bitten at a public location like O'Melveny Park or Granada Hills Recreation Center, the dog owner remains strictly liable. The City of Los Angeles may also share liability if inadequate enforcement of leash laws or dangerous conditions contributed to the attack. Government claims require filing an administrative claim within six months.

Defenses Dog Owners Raise

Despite strict liability, dog owners and their insurers raise defenses to reduce or eliminate their responsibility. The most common defense is provocation. If the dog owner can prove you provoked the dog into biting, strict liability does not apply. However, provocation requires more than simply petting a dog or being near it. Courts require evidence of conduct that would naturally cause a dog to react aggressively.

Trespassing is another defense. If you were unlawfully on the dog owner's property when the bite occurred, strict liability does not apply. You must have been in a public place or lawfully on private property, meaning you had permission to be there, were performing a legal duty such as mail delivery, or were an invited guest.

Comparative negligence can also reduce your recovery. If your own negligence contributed to the bite, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20 percent at fault for ignoring warning signs about a dog, your compensation would be reduced by 20 percent.

The Claims Process

Dog bite claims in Granada Hills are typically filed against the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Your attorney identifies the applicable policy, files the claim, and negotiates with the insurer. If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney files a lawsuit at the Chatsworth Courthouse.

Medical treatment for the bite should be obtained promptly at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills or another facility. LAPD handles animal bite reports in Granada Hills, and the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services may quarantine the dog to monitor for rabies.

Contact a Granada Hills dog bite attorney at L&F Brown for a free consultation. We will identify all liable parties, pursue every available source of compensation, and fight for the full value of your claim. Visit our Granada Hills page to learn more about our services.

Compensation Available in Granada Hills Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite victims in Granada Hills can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring or disfigurement. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the location of the bite, and the long-term impact on your daily life.

Medical expenses include emergency treatment at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, follow-up care, antibiotics, wound care, and any surgical procedures including plastic surgery for visible scarring. If the bite caused nerve damage, physical therapy and rehabilitation costs are also recoverable.

Emotional distress is a significant component of many dog bite claims. Victims, especially children, often develop a lasting fear of dogs that affects their daily activities. A child who is afraid to play outside or walk to school because of fear of dogs has suffered a real and compensable injury. Adults may experience anxiety, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors that limit their quality of life.

Dog bite claims are typically covered by the owner's homeowners or renters insurance. Most homeowners policies include liability coverage of $100,000 to $300,000 or more. If the owner has an umbrella policy, additional coverage may be available. Your attorney identifies all available insurance coverage and pursues the maximum recovery from each applicable policy. If the case cannot be settled through negotiation, litigation would proceed at Chatsworth Courthouse.

If you were injured in a dog bite in Granada Hills, contact L&F Brown in Granada Hills for a free case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win your case.