Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754
San Francisco Dog Bite Attorney
San Francisco has one of the highest per-capita dog populations of any major American city, and the city's dense residential neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces create frequent encounters between dogs and pedestrians, cyclists, and visitors. Dog bites in San Francisco can cause serious injuries — lacerations requiring surgical repair, nerve damage, infection, and permanent scarring — as well as significant psychological trauma. California imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites, making dog bite claims more straightforward than negligence cases in one respect, while still requiring careful analysis of the circumstances to identify all responsible parties. Attorney Michael Rehm represents dog bite victims throughout San Francisco and San Francisco County. These claims are filed in San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister Street.
California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Statute
Civil Code § 3342(a) provides that the owner of any dog is liable for damages suffered by any person bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place. Strict liability means the victim does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous — there is no “one bite rule” in California. The owner is liable for the first bite as well as any subsequent bite. The statute applies to bites that break the skin. Injuries caused by a dog that knocks a person down or otherwise injures them without biting are governed by ordinary negligence principles under Civil Code § 1714 rather than the strict liability statute.
Landlord and Property Owner Liability
When a dog bite occurs on rental property, the landlord may bear independent liability under Civil Code § 1714 if the landlord knew the dog was on the premises and knew or had reason to know the dog was dangerous. This is a negligence claim requiring proof of the landlord's actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous animal, and it is distinct from the strict liability claim against the dog owner. Both claims can be pursued simultaneously and each has independent insurance coverage implications.
Insurance Coverage for Dog Bite Claims
Most homeowner and renter insurance policies provide coverage for dog bite liability claims. The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is typically the primary source of recovery. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with prior bite history — a coverage issue that requires examination of the specific policy language. In San Francisco, where renting is the predominant form of tenancy, renter's insurance policies are the typical coverage source for dog bite claims.
Filing Deadlines
The personal injury statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. None of these deadlines are self-executing and tolling may apply — contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific timeline in your case.
Related Pages
Attorney Michael Rehm represents dog bite victims throughout San Francisco on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.
The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.