A real strict liability statute since 1931
Under Cal. Civ. Code §3342, a dog owner is liable for a bite that occurs in a public place or while the victim is lawfully present on private property — including the owner's own property — regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. This ended California's older one-bite rule for bite injuries specifically back in 1931, making California one of the most victim-favorable states for this type of claim.
The statute is narrowly focused on bites: a dog that knocks someone down or scratches them without biting falls outside §3342, requiring an ordinary negligence claim instead. The owner's main defense is provocation, which operates as a complete defense under California law. Trespassing also removes the statute's protection entirely, since it only covers people lawfully present. Narrow exceptions exist for military/police dogs and certain veterinary professionals.