This page provides general legal information about knocked down by dog (no bite) claims in Fresno, California. It does not provide legal advice. Consult a licensed California attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) in Fresno
If a dog knocked you down, jumped on you, or caused a fall without biting, California Civil Code Section 3342's strict liability statute does not apply — it is limited to bites. The claim proceeds under general negligence: the owner's
Fresno has fresno county animal control enforces fcc section 9 on dog bites; higher-than-average dog bite incidence rate in central valley; rural-urban fringe areas with less frequent animal control enforcement. Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) incidents in Fresno are handled through the Fresno County Superior Court civil system. Animal control investigations in Fresno produce bite incident reports that are obtainable through public records requests and are discoverable in related civil litigation.
California Strict Liability Law for Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) in Fresno
California Civil Code Section 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners throughout California, including Fresno. No prior bite history is required. No owner knowledge of danger is required. The three liability elements are: (1) the defendant owned or harbored the dog; (2) the dog bit the plaintiff; and (3) the plaintiff was in a public place or lawfully on private property. The two defenses are provocation and trespass.
"The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness."
Courts in Fresno: Filing a Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) Lawsuit
Fresno County Superior Court at B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 2500 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93721, handles dog bite civil cases from Fresno. Government entity claims require a six-month administrative claim under Government Code Section 945.4. Minor victims' period is tolled until age 18 under CCP Section 352. Standard cases file within two years of the bite under CCP Section 335.1.
Immediate Steps After a Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) in Fresno
- File an animal control report same day — Creates the official record, initiates dangerous dog investigation, documents owner identity
- Photograph all injuries immediately — And at each subsequent stage of healing; include ruler for scale
- Seek emergency medical evaluation — Dog bite wounds require prompt professional assessment for infection risk and rabies evaluation
- Collect the owner's insurance information — Homeowner's or renter's insurer, policy number, and contact information
- Identify all witnesses — Names and contact information for everyone who saw the bite or the circumstances leading up to it
- Request animal control prior complaint records — Any prior bites or complaints about this specific dog are evidence of the owner's knowledge
Other Dog Bite Situations in Fresno
Frequently Asked Questions — Knocked Down by Dog (No Bite) in Fresno
What should I do after a knocked down by dog (no bite) in Fresno?
File an animal control report on the same day as the bite with the agency covering Fresno. Photograph all injuries immediately. Obtain the dog owner's name, address, and homeowner's or renter's insurance information. Seek emergency medical evaluation. Keep all medical records from initial treatment through all follow-up care. Send a written evidence preservation demand if the owner has relevant documentation.
Which court handles knocked down by dog (no bite) cases in Fresno?
Dog bite civil lawsuits from Fresno are filed in Fresno County Superior Court at B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 2500 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93721. Government entity dog bites (police K-9, animal shelter) require a written administrative claim within six months under Government Code Section 945.4 before any lawsuit.
Does California's strict liability apply to knocked down by dog (no bite) in Fresno?
Yes. California Civil Code Section 3342 applies throughout California including Fresno. The statute imposes strict liability from the first bite, with no requirement to prove prior viciousness or owner knowledge. The two defenses are provocation (the victim's affirmative threatening action caused the bite) and trespass (the victim was unlawfully on private property).
How long do I have to file after a knocked down by dog (no bite) in Fresno?
Two years from the date of the bite under CCP Section 335.1. For minor victims, tolled until age 18 under CCP Section 352. Government entity bites: six months for administrative claim under Government Code Section 945.4.
What damages can I recover after a knocked down by dog (no bite) in Fresno?
Medical expenses from emergency care through future scar revision surgeries; lost wages; non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement) — uncapped in California personal injury cases; and punitive damages under Civil Code Section 3294 when the owner had conscious disregard of known danger.
Does homeowner's insurance cover a knocked down by dog (no bite) in Fresno?
Most California dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. Breed exclusions and prior bite exclusions in some policies can deny coverage. When coverage is denied, the civil action proceeds against the owner's personal assets.