Under California’s “dog bite statute,” dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets.

CC § 3342(a)

“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.”

And this may also include injuries to other animals. Plaintiff may recover reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket veterinary care expenses incurred as a result of tortious 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  which states:

“For the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, the measure of damages, except where otherwise expressly provided by this Code, is the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused thereby, whether it could have been anticipated or not.”

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