All dog owners want to believe that their animals would never hurt another person, but the reality is that even the most well-trained dogs may still succumb to their instinctual behaviors when they feel nervous, threatened, or anxious. As a dog owner or a person who lives in a residential housing area, you must familiarize yourself with California’s leash laws.
Dog Leash Laws on Public and Private Property
Sadly, people every day suffer dog bite injuries because animal owners fail to take steps to keep their dogs from biting others. One such step is keeping unleashed dogs away from people on the sidewalk or the road.
Most municipalities in California require dog owners to keep their animals leashed in public areas. For instance, Fresno County’s leash laws state that “All dogs must be on a leash in Fresno County or under the immediate control of a responsible person if they are off the owner’s property.”
Leash laws for confined animals do not apply. If your dog is roaming around in your backyard, then no leash would be necessary. There are also designated dog parks that allow dogs to be off of the leash. However, if your home does not have a fence, wall, or other barrier bordering the front yard, the dog would not be considered confined and would require the use of a leash.
Dog Bites and Strict Liability
While California follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites, the insurance company that you file a claim with for compensation will most likely attempt to either:
- Put some part of the blame on you; or
- Lowball your settlement offer by claiming your injuries are not as severe as you are claiming them to be.
At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our legal team knows the ins and outs of dog bite claims and how to collect the evidence needed to ensure the best possible outcome. Let us build a solid case on your behalf so you can focus on recovering after a dog bite.
Contact our Fresno dog bite attorneys at (559) 900-1280 to get started with a free, personalized case review today.