Dogs involved in biting incidents are not required to be put down.

The chances of getting put down increase if this is not the first time the dog has bitten someone. When a dog bites a person, California Dog Bite Quarantine Law sets a required quarantine period. Animal Control will come over to pick up the dog. Then, the dog will be held in an animal shelter for 10 days of observation immediately after the biting incident.

This protocol helps to determine whether the dog is rabid, vicious or diseased.

Another option is home quarantine, allowed in cases where the owner can prove two things. First, that the dog does not have a violent history; and second, that the dog has up-to-date vaccinations. Make sure to show all the documents to prove this when Animal Control arrives.

If this is not the first time that the dog has attacked, the police will file a report with the court. There will then be a hearing to determine the status of the dog.

If the dog has bitten a person twice, has a history of violence, or is proven to be a dangerous animal, the court has the power to order the removal of the pet from the area. The court also has the power to have the dog be put down. This may be ordered if the dog has bitten a person on at least two separate occasions, or if the dog was trained to fight or to attack people.