West Covina is a city of single-family neighborhoods, fenced yards, apartment complexes and parks, which means a lot of dogs. Most of it is uneventful. When it is not, the consequences are severe, particularly for children, who are bitten on the face and head far more often than adults.
Bites happen on residential sidewalks across the city’s older grid, at Cortez Park, Galster Park and Shadow Oak Park, in apartment complex common areas, and to the delivery drivers and service workers who enter yards every day. Djougourian Law Corp has recovered $1.1 million in a dog bite case.
California’s Strict Liability Rule
This is the most favorable liability standard in personal injury law, and most victims do not know it exists.
California Civil Code Section 3342 makes a dog owner liable for damages suffered by any person bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, regardless of the dog’s former viciousness and regardless of the owner’s knowledge of it.
There is no “one free bite” in California. It does not matter that the dog had never bitten anyone before. It does not matter that the owner had no reason to think the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you and you were lawfully present, the owner is liable.
Lawful presence is read broadly. It covers social guests, delivery drivers, postal carriers, utility and meter readers, contractors, and anyone else present by express or implied invitation or performing a duty imposed by law.
Beyond the statute, ordinary negligence claims remain available for injuries a dog causes without biting, such as knocking a cyclist off a bike or a pedestrian to the ground.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year and more than 800,000 receive medical attention, with at least half of those being children.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Puncture wounds, which drive bacteria deep into tissue and carry high infection risk. Lacerations and avulsion injuries, where tissue is torn away, requiring surgical repair, grafting and often multiple reconstructive procedures. Nerve and tendon damage, particularly in hand bites, causing lasting loss of function. Infection, including Pasteurella, Staphylococcus and Capnocytophaga, which can escalate to sepsis. Rabies exposure, requiring post-exposure prophylaxis where vaccination status is unknown. Permanent scarring and disfigurement. Facial scarring in children carries lifelong consequences and often requires staged revision surgery into adulthood. Psychological trauma, including PTSD, nightmares and lasting fear of dogs. In children this is frequently the most persistent injury.
Where Bites Happen in West Covina
Residential property. Gates left open, inadequate fencing, and dogs loose in front yards across the city’s single-family neighborhoods.
Sidewalks and streets. Dogs escaping properties and attacking pedestrians, joggers and children walking to school.
Parks. Cortez Park, Galster Park, Shadow Oak Park and the West Covina Sportsplex, where leash requirements are not always observed.
Apartment complexes. Common areas, stairwells, laundry rooms, carports and courtyards, where the landlord may share liability if it knew a dangerous dog was on the property.
Delivery and service calls. Amazon, UPS, FedEx, postal carriers, meter readers and contractors entering yards.
Pet-friendly retail and grooming businesses.
Animal control services for West Covina are administered at the county level through Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. Reporting a bite creates an official record and starts the rabies observation process. Current local licensing and leash requirements are available through the City of West Covina.
Insurance Coverage
Most dog bite claims are paid by homeowners or renters insurance, which typically carries liability limits between $100,000 and $500,000, with umbrella policies stacking above that. Some carriers exclude specific breeds or exclude animal liability entirely, so identifying coverage early matters. Where coverage is excluded, the owner’s personal assets remain reachable.
Dog Bite Results Reported by the Firm
- $1.1 million: dog bite matter involving lifelong scarring.
Past results do not guarantee, warrant or predict the outcome of your case. Outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, applicable law and circumstances of each matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a dog bite?
Get medical care immediately, because bite infections escalate fast. Report the bite to animal control and to the West Covina Police Department if the dog is still loose. Photograph the injuries at intervals as they heal. Get the owner's name, address and insurance information, and the dog's vaccination records. Collect witness contacts.
Does it matter that the dog never bit anyone before?
No. Strict liability under Section 3342 does not require prior viciousness or owner knowledge.
What if it was a neighbor's or friend's dog?
The claim runs against their insurance policy, not against them personally in any practical sense. That is what the coverage exists for, and it is worth saying plainly.
Can my landlord be liable?
Potentially, where the landlord knew of a dangerous dog on the property and had the ability to remove it or require its removal. That is a negligence theory separate from the owner's strict liability.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation is a recognized defense but is construed narrowly. Walking past, reaching to pet a dog after being told it was friendly, or a child's ordinary behavior is not provocation.
What if I was bitten at work?
You may have both a workers' compensation claim and a third-party claim against the dog owner.
Can I recover punitive damages?
Sometimes, where an owner knew the dog was dangerous and consciously disregarded the risk. That is a separate showing from strict liability.
What compensation can I recover?
Medical treatment including reconstructive surgery, future scar revision, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and permanent disfigurement.
Contact a West Covina Dog Bite Attorney
Call 818-530-0000 or request a free consultation. No fee unless we win.
