Yes, in most cases, the dog owner is legally liable—even if the bite happened at a casual event like a family BBQ or holiday party. Under California’s strict liability law, the dog owner is responsible regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone before or whether they warned guests.
It doesn’t matter if the dog was normally friendly. If it bites someone—even a relative or close friend—the injured person has the right to seek:
And don’t worry—many of these claims are covered by homeowners' insurance, not out-of-pocket, which can help preserve the relationship.
