Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Canoga Park?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq.

Local Canoga Park Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He attended El Camino Real High School adjacent to Canoga Park, graduated from UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients in the West Valley communities he grew up around.

If you were bitten by a dog in Canoga Park, California law makes it clear who is responsible: the dog's owner. Under California's strict liability dog bite statute, the owner is liable for your injuries even if the dog had never bitten anyone before and even if the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous. This is one of the strongest victim protection laws in the country, and it applies to every dog bite that occurs in Canoga Park.

At L&F Brown, our Canoga Park dog bite attorneys hold dog owners accountable under this law and fight for full compensation for our clients' injuries.

The Dog Owner's Strict Liability

California Civil Code Section 3342 establishes strict liability for dog owners. The law states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the dog's owner. The key elements are:

• The defendant owned the dog
• The dog bit the victim
• The victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place

Unlike many other personal injury claims, you do not need to prove that the owner was negligent. You do not need to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The simple fact that their dog bit you is enough to establish liability.

This law protects victims bitten on sidewalks along Sherman Way, at Lanark Park, in parking lots on Topanga Canyon Blvd, inside businesses, at neighbors' homes, and anywhere else in Canoga Park where the victim was lawfully present.

Who Qualifies as the "Owner"?

The "owner" under California law is the person who harbors, keeps, or controls the dog. This typically includes:

• The person who purchased or adopted the dog
• A family member who lives with and cares for the dog
• A temporary caretaker, such as a dog sitter or house sitter
• A person walking someone else's dog at the time of the bite

Establishing ownership is usually straightforward, but in cases where the owner tries to deny ownership, our attorneys investigate to identify the responsible party.

Landlord Liability for Dog Bites

In some circumstances, a landlord may also be liable for a tenant's dog bite. If the landlord knew the dog was dangerous and had the ability to remove the animal from the property but failed to do so, the landlord may share liability. This can apply to apartment complexes and rental properties throughout Canoga Park.

Landlord liability is not based on strict liability but on negligence. The victim must show that the landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous dog and failed to take reasonable action. Evidence such as prior complaints from other tenants, incident reports, or lease provisions prohibiting dangerous animals can support this claim.

Property Owner Liability

If you were bitten by a dog on commercial property in Canoga Park, the property owner may bear some responsibility if they allowed a dangerous dog on the premises. For example, a store owner who allows customers to bring unleashed dogs inside may be liable if one of those dogs bites a customer. A property management company that fails to enforce a dangerous dog policy may also face liability.

Defenses the Dog Owner May Raise

While California's strict liability law strongly favors victims, dog owners can raise certain defenses:

Provocation: If the victim provoked the dog, the owner's liability may be reduced or eliminated. Provocation under California law requires intentional conduct that would cause a reasonable dog to bite, such as hitting, kicking, or tormenting the animal. Simply petting a dog or walking near it does not constitute provocation.

Trespassing: The strict liability law only applies when the victim was lawfully present at the location of the bite. If the victim was trespassing on private property, the owner may argue the law does not apply. However, even trespassers may recover under a general negligence theory in some circumstances.

Comparative fault: California's comparative negligence system may apply if the victim's own actions contributed to the bite. The victim's compensation would be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Our attorneys anticipate these defenses and gather evidence to counter them effectively.

Reporting the Dog Bite

After a dog bite in Canoga Park, you should report the incident to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. The department will investigate, potentially quarantine the dog, and create an official record of the bite. This report is valuable evidence for your legal claim.

If the bite required medical treatment at West Hills Hospital or another facility, the medical provider is also required to report the bite to the health department.

Contact L&F Brown About Your Canoga Park Dog Bite

Compensation Available in Canoga Park Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite victims in Canoga Park 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 West Hills Hospital, 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 Van Nuys Courthouse West.

If you were bitten by a dog anywhere in Canoga Park, contact L&F Brown for a free consultation. California's strict liability law is on your side, and our attorneys know how to use it to pursue the full compensation you deserve. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win. Call today.