Acting in response to a number of recent dog bite incidents involving pit bull breeds, San Bernadino County recently passed an ordinance that would require the licensing of all pit bull breeds.
Under the ordinance, all pit bulls and pit bull type breeds that are above 4 months of age, must be licensed. The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Animal Care and Control has also modified at least 2 other previous ordinances. Under one of these ordinances, all pit bulls or pit bull type breeds in San Bernardino County above the age of 4 months, must be spayed or neutered.
The pit bull type breeds of dogs that are included under this ordinance include Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. Additionally, other dogs that include significant mixes of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers may also be included in the ordinance.
San Bernardino County is also offering financial assistance for people to spay or neuter their pit bulls. A $50 voucher is available for people who meet the eligibility criteria for the voucher.
A number of counties and cities across the country are moving to enact their own laws to restrict pit bulls. Some counties have mild provisions that require the licensing of all pit bulls and pit bull type breeds inside the county, and require that these dogs be spayed or neutered. In California, a number of cities require mandatory sterilization of pit bulls. These cities include Barstow, Highland, Hollister, Manteca, San Francisco, Sonoma County, Ventura and Yucaipa. However, many cities and counties have outright bans on pit bulls.
Pit bulls can be safe breeds, if they are trained properly, have opportunities for socialization, and are given adequate opportunities for exercise and play. Unfortunately, very often, California dog bite attorneys find that neglectful dog owners or persons who are more interested in showing off their pit bull as a sign of their machismo, own these breeds. These persons are less likely to invest the time, resources and money necessary to care for a pit bull. The result is a vicious pit bull attack that ends in injuries or even fatalities.
What Happens After a Dog Bite? Understanding California’s Strict Liability Law
When a pit bull or any dog attacks someone in California, state law doesn’t care whether the ordinance requires licensing or sterilization—what matters is California Civil Code Section 3342, which makes dog owners strictly liable for bite injuries regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s precautions. If you’re wondering “can I sue a dog owner in California even if the dog never bit anyone before,” the answer is yes—California’s strict liability standard means victims don’t need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Los Angeles Superior Court and San Bernardino Superior Court regularly handle dog bite personal injury claims where victims recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring. California personal injury attorneys often find that homeowners insurance policies cover dog bite liability up to policy limits, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or cancel policies after bite incidents. Under California Penal Code Section 399, owners can face criminal charges if they fail to control a dangerous dog that seriously injures or kills someone, with penalties up to three years in prison.
The strict liability rule exists because California lawmakers determined that dog owners should bear responsibility for their pets’ actions, making breed-specific ordinances like San Bernardino’s just one layer of legal protection alongside the state’s comprehensive victim compensation framework.
you are all bad people and need to get a real life insensitive #&%@
i think that you are all a bunch of horses asses
you are all a bunch of pieces of crap
if you agree with this pit bull bs