Dog Bite Laws & Statistics in Los Angeles

Los Angeles sees more dog bites each year than any other U.S. city, according to recent postal-service data, and county health officials estimate tens of thousands of residents are bitten annually. Understanding how California’s strict-liability statute works, what local leash and licensing ordinances require, and how current injury trends look can help victims, dog owners, and policymakers reduce risk and respond appropriately when attacks occur.

California’s Strict-Liability Dog Bite Rule

California Civil Code § 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners when their animal bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property. Key takeaways:

• Victims do not need to show the dog had a prior history of aggression.
• Liability attaches even if the owner used reasonable care (e.g., leash, fence).
• The rule covers bites only; non-bite injuries (knock-downs, scratches) require proof of negligence.
• Trespassers, veterinarians, groomers, or kennel workers may have limited or no strict-liability protection and must prove negligence.

Because California follows pure comparative negligence, compensation is reduced only by a victim’s share of fault (for example, provoking the dog).

Los Angeles Municipal Requirements

Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles layer additional duties on dog owners:

• Leash laws—dogs must be leashed (maximum six feet) in public areas, parks, and sidewalks unless within a designated off-leash zone.
• Licensing and vaccination—all dogs older than four months must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
• Dangerous-dog hearings—Animal Care & Control can impose muzzling, special confinement, or euthanasia after a documented aggressive incident.
• “No tethering” rule—owners may not tie or tether a dog for more than three hours in a 24-hour period.

Failing to follow these ordinances can bolster a victim’s civil case and may result in misdemeanor charges for the owner.

Annual Dog Bite Totals in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County’s Veterinary Public Health Program estimates about 20,000 dog bites occur countywide each year, out of roughly 4.5 million bites nationwide. While not every incident requires medical care, Los Angeles hospitals and urgent-care centers report hundreds of emergency visits monthly for dog-related injuries.

A useful barometer of severe bites is the U.S. Postal Service’s annual dog-attack ranking. In its 2024 report Los Angeles led the nation with 77 dog attacks on mail carriers, up from 48 two years earlier. Statewide, California recorded more than 700 postal-carrier bites, also topping the national list.

Why the Numbers Are High

Several factors drive Los Angeles bite statistics:

• Population density—10 million residents share neighborhoods with an estimated three million dogs.
• Warm climate—year-round outdoor activity increases dog–human interaction.
• Housing patterns—multifamily dwellings and shared yards place dogs near strangers.
• High volume of delivery workers—mail, food-delivery, and parcel services expose workers to territorial animals every day.

Breed, Age, and Circumstance Trends

Los Angeles does not maintain breed-specific legislation; however, animal-control data show larger breeds, particularly pit-bull-type dogs, German shepherds, and mixed “bully breeds,” are disproportionately involved in severe injury cases.

Other patterns:

• Children under 10 account for a significant share of emergency-department visits; bites to the face and neck are common.
• Adult men—especially delivery drivers—constitute the largest worker risk group.
• Home settings make up nearly 60 percent of reported bites; public sidewalks and parks follow.
• Most incidents occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., coinciding with after-school play and package delivery times.

Injuries and Economic Impact

Dog bites range from puncture wounds to catastrophic facial trauma. Medical consequences often include infection (capnocytophaga, MRSA), nerve damage, and scarring. Recent insurance studies put the average Californian homeowner-policy payout at roughly $60,000 per bite claim—well above the national average—due to higher medical costs and larger jury verdicts. Serious Los Angeles cases have resulted in six- and seven-figure settlements for:

• Reconstructive surgeries after disfiguring facial bites
• Tendon repair following severe hand injuries to delivery workers
• Emotional distress and PTSD, particularly among children

Victim Rights and Filing a Claim

Los Angeles victims generally have two years to file a San Diego dog bite injury lawsuit. Key steps:

1. Seek immediate medical care and document all treatment.
2. Report the bite to Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control; officers investigate rabies risk and owner compliance.
3. Collect evidence—photos, witness contact information, and any prior complaints about the dog.
4. Contact a San Diego dog-bite attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters.

Because strict liability applies to bites, many cases settle through the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance. If no coverage exists, victims may pursue personal assets or, in limited circumstances, a claim against a landlord who knew of a dangerous dog and failed to act.

Defenses Owners May Raise

Owners and insurers often argue:

• The victim provoked the dog (teasing, hitting, trespassing).
• The victim assumed risk (veterinarians, groomers).
• Comparative negligence—shared fault reduces damages.
• The bite did not occur (disputing causation).

Evidence such as surveillance video, 911 recordings, and veterinary records helps counter these defenses.

Prevention and Community Initiatives

Several Los Angeles programs aim to reduce dog bites:

• Vision Zero Safety Campaigns now include pet-owner education in school programs.
• Mandatory spay/neuter laws (with exceptions) seek to reduce aggressive behavior linked to intact dogs.
• Leash-law enforcement blitzes issue citations in high-bite areas like parks and hiking trails.
• USPS “Dog Bite Awareness Week” collaborates with city shelters to offer discounted training classes.

Conclusion

Los Angeles leads U.S. cities in reported dog-bite incidents, underscoring the need for vigilant pet ownership, robust public education, and strong victim advocacy. California’s strict-liability statute, layered with local ordinances, gives bite victims a clear legal path to compensation. Yet prevention is the community’s most effective tool—proper training, secure fencing, and responsible supervision can save medical costs, legal battles, and, most importantly, human and animal suffering.

References

• California Civil Code § 3342. (2024). Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Veterinary Public Health Program. (2024). Dog bite surveillance data.
• U.S. Postal Service. (2025). National dog bite rankings and incident data.
• People Magazine. (2025). Dog attacks on postal workers are on the rise.
• MKP Law Group. (2025). Dog bite statistics in California.
• Los Angeles Municipal Code §§ 53.06.2, 53.15.2. (2024).
• Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control. (2024). Dangerous dog hearing procedures.
• National Insurance Information Institute. (2024). Average cost per dog bite claim by state.