What is the California dog bite law?

California has strict liability statutes against dog owners in the case of a dog bite. The dog owner is fully liable for injuries sustained to another person if his dog bites them, whether the victim was on public or private property.

According to the Los Angeles County of Public Health, there are some instances where the liability does not apply. A dog owner is not liable if the dog attacks through defense against a harassing or provoking act. Additionally, no one is liable if a dog working with a government agency, such as the police, bites or injures a person during the capture or arrest of a suspect.