QUESTION:

While I was at work, 2 dogs owned by people from down the street broke through my fence and attacked my dog. My dog was severely hurt and was in the hospital for a week. He will still need follow up care to correct the damage. Can I go after the owners of the dogs who attacked mine and have them pay for the vet bills?

ANSWER:

Under California’s “dog bite statute,” dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets [CC § 3342(a)], and this may include injuries to other animals. Plaintiff may recover reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket veterinary care expenses incurred as a result of tortuous injury to a pet which may be caused by another person or another person’s pet. Although a pet is personal property, damages for veterinary care are not limited to diminution of the pet’s value which, in the case of many pets, is negligible. Rather, the measure of damages is determined under CC § 3333 —i.e., “the amount which will compensate for all the detriment” caused by defendant.

Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to know more about possible claims for damages caused by another person’s dog.