While the right of a person to keep a ferocious dog, that is, one accustomed to bite people, is recognized by the law, California has long followed the common-law rule of strict liability for harm done by a domestic animal with known vicious or dangerous propensities abnormal to its class. Indeed, it is because dangerous propensities are abnormal to dogs as a class that the rule of strict liability comes into play.

Thus, a dog's bad character or evil disposition is not presumed; rather, a dog is presumed to be tame, docile, and harmless until the contrary appears. However, when it is once established that the dog is of a vicious and mischievous nature and that the person owning or keeping it had knowledge of that fact, the same responsibility attaches to the owner to keep it from doing mischief as the keeper of an animal naturally ferocious would be subject to, and proof of negligence on the part of the owner of the dog is unnecessary.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite accident call the Law Office of Harold  D. Thompson today for you free case evaluation.