Dog Bite in San Diego. California law, local courts, and the specific deadlines that apply here.

Yes. California Civil Code section 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites occurring in public places or when the victim was lawfully on private property. This applies throughout San Diego with no exceptions for first bites or lack of owner knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies. The main defenses are trespass by the victim and provocation by the victim.

Prior bite history and dangerous dog designations in San Diego are documented by the local animal control agency. File a public records request with the relevant animal control department to obtain records of prior complaints or bite reports involving the specific dog. While prior bite history is not required for strict liability, it supports punitive damage arguments and affects settlement value.

Homeowners and renters insurance are the primary coverage sources for dog bite liability in San Diego. Most standard policies include $100,000 to $300,000 in personal liability coverage that extends to dog bite injuries. Some insurers exclude certain breeds from coverage. When the owner lacks insurance or their policy excludes the breed, recovery depends on the owner's personal assets.