It’s a sunny afternoon at your local park — families gather for live music, children play in the grass, and dogs stroll on leashes beside their owners. Community events like farmers’ markets, charity walks, and outdoor festivals are meant to bring people together. But in the midst of all the excitement, one unexpected moment can change everything: a dog suddenly bites or attacks, leaving someone seriously injured.
While many dogs are well-behaved, even the most friendly pet can react unpredictably in crowded, noisy environments. The combination of unfamiliar people, loud sounds, and other animals can trigger anxiety or aggression. What begins as a joyful outing can quickly turn painful — resulting in deep bites, puncture wounds, or even lasting emotional trauma.
Under California Civil Code § 3342, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public or private place. This applies even if the dog has never shown aggression before or if the owner took reasonable precautions.
In other words, a dog owner cannot escape responsibility simply by saying “my dog has never bitten anyone.” If their pet causes injury, they are legally responsible for the damages — including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The strict liability rule also applies when a bite or attack happens in a public place, such as a park, street fair, or community festival. If you were lawfully present at the event — as a guest, attendee, or vendor — and a dog injured you, the owner can still be held accountable.
Even though community gatherings may be crowded and noisy, owners are still required to keep their dogs under control, use leashes, and prevent aggressive behavior. Failing to do so can lead to legal liability if someone gets hurt.
There are a few circumstances that can affect liability in a dog bite case:
However, there can also be shared liability in certain cases. For example, if a festival organizer failed to enforce leash laws, allowed pets in unsafe areas, or ignored reports of an aggressive animal, they may share responsibility for the injury.
Because multiple parties may be involved, it’s wise to consult an experienced dog bite lawyer in California or a community event injury attorney in Burbank to investigate your case thoroughly.
Under California’s strict liability law, the dog’s owner (or in some cases, the person handling the animal) is primarily responsible for any injuries their dog causes.
Owners have a duty to control their pets, keep them properly leashed, and prevent aggressive behavior — especially in crowded public settings. Even if the dog has no prior history of aggression, the owner is still liable for bites or attacks that cause harm.
For example, if a dog lunges at someone in line for food or bites a child walking nearby, the owner can be held legally responsible for all resulting injuries.
When a dog bite occurs at a public or private event, organizers and property managers may also share responsibility if they failed to maintain a safe environment.
Examples of negligence include:
If the event was poorly supervised or lacked proper safety planning, the organizers could be held accountable for allowing unsafe conditions to develop. An experienced community event injury attorney in Burbank can help determine if negligent event management played a role in your injury.
At many community events, vendors or sponsors feature dogs as part of their displays, services, or promotional activities. For instance, a pet adoption booth, dog training demonstration, or product sponsor might bring animals to attract visitors.
If one of those dogs causes an injury, the vendor or sponsoring business could also be held liable — especially if they failed to take reasonable precautions or allowed unsafe handling. This kind of shared liability can significantly affect how your dog attack claim in Van Nuys or elsewhere in California is handled.
If the community event was organized, sponsored, or permitted by a city, county, or public agency, the situation becomes more complex.
Government entities in California can be held responsible for unsafe conditions or negligent oversight — for example, failing to provide adequate security, fencing, or signage at a pet-friendly event. However, these cases involve special filing procedures and strict deadlines under California’s Government Claims Act.
Victims typically have just six months from the date of the injury to file a formal claim against a public entity. Because these timelines are short, contacting a personal injury lawyer for dog bites as soon as possible is critical to preserving your rights.
First and foremost, move to a safe area away from the dog and seek medical help right away. Even what appears to be a minor bite can lead to infection, nerve damage, or scarring if left untreated.
Emergency care providers can clean the wound, assess the risk of rabies or other diseases, and document your injuries — all of which are crucial for both your recovery and your future claim.
Always report the dog bite to the appropriate authorities. Notify event staff, animal control, or local law enforcement as soon as possible. Ask for a written report and make sure the details are accurate before signing or leaving the scene.
Official reports provide valuable evidence and help ensure that the dog and its owner are properly identified and that safety measures are taken to prevent future incidents.
Collect as much information as possible while the event is still ongoing. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and contact information, as well as proof of vaccination if available.
If anyone witnessed the attack, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness statements can be powerful in confirming what happened and showing that the incident wasn’t your fault.
Use your phone to take photos or videos of:
Visual documentation helps your attorney demonstrate what conditions may have contributed to the attack, such as poor crowd control, leash violations, or inadequate supervision by event organizers.
After an attack, the dog’s owner — or their insurance company — may try to contact you to “work things out” quickly. Avoid discussing the incident or accepting any payment or promises without legal guidance.
Remember, anything you say could be used to limit or deny your claim later. Politely decline to discuss details and refer all communication to your attorney.
Finally, reach out to a knowledgeable dog bite lawyer in California as soon as possible. A qualified attorney can:
At Tim D. Wright Law, we provide compassionate, personalized legal support for dog bite victims throughout Southern California — including Burbank, Van Nuys, and surrounding communities. Our firm works on a no-upfront-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Dog bite injuries are more than just painful — they can be emotionally and physically devastating. Victims often face mounting medical bills, scarring, lost income, and anxiety long after the attack. But no one should feel powerless after being injured by a dog, even in a public place.
Whether the bite occurred at a community festival, park, or street fair, you have legal rights. California law protects victims and holds dog owners, event organizers, and even public entities accountable when their negligence leads to harm.
At Tim D. Wright Law, we understand that these cases can be overwhelming. Our compassionate team is here to help you heal, rebuild, and recover the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and losses. We’ll stand by you from start to finish — investigating the details, negotiating with insurers, and fighting to secure justice on your behalf.
📍 Burbank Office: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📍 Van Nuys Office: 16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2, Van Nuys, CA 91406
📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995 | (818) 428-1080
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
Follow Us:
