Emanuel Law Group

Free Consultation
(800) 308-0870

San Mateo (650) 369-8900
San Francisco (415) 399-1112
San Jose (408) 943-8833

Llame hoy para una Consulta Inicial Gratuita
(800) 308-0870

Oficina de San Mateo (650) 369-8900
Oficina de San Francisco (415) 399-1112
Oficina de San Jose (408) 943-8833
  • Home
  • Attorney Bios
    • Todd P. Emanuel
    • Pamela E. Glazner
  • Practice Areas
    • Sexual Assault
    • Wrongful Death
    • Traumatic Brain Injuries
    • Catastrophic Injuries
  • Results
    • Major Win
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Español
  • Áreas de Práctica
    • Abogados De Heridas Personales Del Área De La Bahía
  • Descripción De La Firma
    • Todd P. Emanuel
    • Gary Simms, Of Counsel
  • English
You are here: Home / Calculating Damages / Dog Bites: California Civil Code 3342

Dog Bites: California Civil Code 3342

Todd P. Emanuel July 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

Civil Code 3342 states:

“(a) The owner of any dog is liable for the 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 owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

(b) Nothing in this section shall authorize the bringing of an action pursuant to subdivision (a) against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following:

(1) In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activity.

(2) In the investigation of a crime or possible crime.

(3) In the execution of a warrant.

(4) In the defense of a peace officer or another person.

(c) Subdivision (b) shall not apply in any case where the victim of the bite or bites was not a party to, nor a participant in, nor suspected to be a party to or a participant in, the act or acts that prompted the use of the dog in the military or police work.

(d) Subdivision (b) shall apply only where a governmental agency using a dog in military or police work has adopted a written policy on the necessary and appropriate use of a dog for the police or military work enumerated in subdivision (b).

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 298, Sec. 1.)”

Read More: California Civil Code 3342, Dog Bites

Learn more about dog bites in California.

Filed Under: Calculating Damages, Comparative Negligence, Dog Bite Injury, Economic Damages, Injury Settlements, Noneconomic Damages, Personal Injury Damages, Personal Injury Lawyers, Police Reports, Punitive Damages

Join the Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact Us Today

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contacta con nosotros hoy

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Recent Blog Posts

  • Why Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney in the Bay Area?
  • When to Call a Truck Accident Attorney in Silicon Valley
  • Things to Consider When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
  • Dog Owners Can be Liable for Injuries Caused by Their Animals
  • Domestic Violence Attorney: Take Back Control of Your Life

Office Locations

Ubicaciones de Oficinas

San Mateo Office

411 Borel Avenue, Suite 425
San Mateo, CA 94402
(800) 308-0870 Main
(650) 369-8900 Ext. 1015

Oficina de San Mateo

411 Borel Avenue, Suite 425
San Mateo, CA 94402
(800) 308-0870 Principal
(650) 369-8900 Ext. 1015

San Francisco Office

505 Montgomery St, 11th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 399-1112

Oficina de San Francisco

505 Montgomery St, 11th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 399-1112

San Jose Office

2880 Zanker Rd, #203
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 943-8833

Oficina de San Jose

2880 Zanker Rd, #203
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 943-8833

©2025 Emanuel Law Group. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Sign Up for Our Newsletter!