According to data from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 54% of the households in the country own at least one dog. Of these, many are right here in California. Moreover, many of these pet owners bring their dogs with them when they’re out and about. One common place you may encounter a dog is at one of California’s many grocery stores.
What this means, at least in certain instances, is that you could be facing a dog bite. Dog bites can happen anywhere, but are more likely to happen in situations where the dog feels threatened or is in unfamiliar territory. Unfortunately, a grocery store fits this description. As a result, when you’re bitten by a dog at a California grocery store, you need to know how to respond.
Committed Help From California Dog Bite Lawyers
At Maison Law, we know how difficult dog bite injuries can be. No matter how you got hurt, we can help you go through the steps to get the support you need from the dog’s owner or the grocery store.
We’ll talk about your legal options and give you a clear plan for how the process works. Dog bites can be hard for you and your family, but with our experienced California dog bite lawyers, we can make things a bit easier. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
Do Grocery Stores in California Allow Dogs?
Like many regulations in California, the answer to the question of whether or not a grocery store allows dogs or animals depends on the particular store. What makes a grocery store different than a retail store is, obviously, the food products they sell. Under the California Retail Food Code (CRFC), dogs and other animals are not allowed in grocery stores and other food facilities, except:
- Service dogs
- Police dogs
The reason for this isn’t surprising: dogs sometimes carry diseases or cause other issues that could compromise the cleanliness of the food products. However, there are other reasons that regular dogs aren’t allowed in grocery stores. Namely, so they don’t bite anyone. That said, just because these regulations are in place doesn’t prevent dog bites from happening at California grocery stores.
What Causes Dog Bites at California Grocery Stores?
While every dog bite incident is somewhat unique, especially if it happens in a grocery store, the underlying causes are largely the same. While these causes vary from dog to dog, the result of a dog bite is always unfortunate. Here are some of the things that can cause a dog to bite you at a grocery store in California:
- Stress – Dogs can get stressed in busy environments like grocery stores, leading to defensive behavior.
- Fear – Dogs might be scared of unfamiliar people or surroundings, causing them to bite.
- Protectiveness – Dogs can feel the need to protect their owners and react aggressively.
- Pain – A dog in pain might bite if they feel threatened or touched in sensitive areas.
- Unfamiliarity – Dogs may react to new faces or situations with aggression.
- Overexcitement – Dogs can get overly excited or playful, leading to nipping or biting.
- Provocation – Teasing or bothering a dog can cause them to bite in self-defense.
- Health issues – Dogs with medical conditions might bite due to discomfort or irritability.
- Resource guarding – Dogs might protect food or belongings, reacting with aggression.
- Lack of training – Poorly trained dogs might not know how to behave around people.
Remember, these are just some potential reasons, and each dog’s behavior can vary. Always be cautious around unfamiliar dogs, especially in public places like grocery stores. However, if you are bitten, there are also some things you’ll need to do to respond properly.
How Should You Respond After Being Bitten By a Dog at a California Grocery Store?
Getting bitten by a dog–regardless of where it happens–can be traumatic and scary. Even though there are certain laws in place regarding dog bites, you still need to take certain steps after a dog bite in California. These steps include:
- Get medical help – Your health matters most. Go to a doctor even if the bite seems small. Doctors can prevent infections and other issues.
- Take pictures and details – Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries and where it happened. Also, try to get the dog owner’s information if possible.
- Report the bite – Tell animal control and grocery store management about the bite. This helps keep others safe and should lead to an investigation.
- Get witnesses and other information – If others saw it, get their names and numbers. Write down details you remember, like the dog owner’s name.
Following these steps is important if you decide to take legal action with a claim against either the dog’s owner or the grocery store. Thus, it’s also important to know how California law handles dog bites.
Who is Responsible For Dog Bite Injuries at a California Grocery Store?
Just because a dog is not allowed inside a grocery store doesn’t mean that a dog bite won’t happen there. After all, laws being in place don’t outright prevent things like speeding or drinking and driving. That said, California law has a specific approach when it comes to dog bites. Under Section 3342 of the California Legal Code, dog owners are “strictly liable” for any injuries or damages caused by their dog. This means that if a dog bites you, the owner is responsible for covering your injuries and other damages.
It’s important to note here that the grocery store doesn’t escape responsibility either. As a place of business, the law says that grocery stores have a responsibility to take steps to make sure their customers remain safe while shopping there. Thus, even though it may have signs posted, if a dog is on grocery store property and bites someone, the store itself shares partial liability in the claim.
Even with strict liability, any potential claim against the dog’s owner or the grocery store can still be complex. Thus, it’s important to work with our team of experienced California dog bite lawyers. We can give you guidance and help you through the process.
Claims Process After a Dog Bite at a California Grocery Store
The legal process after a dog bite at a California grocery store is fairly unique, but ultimately the same as any other injury claim. While most dog bites in California involve a person and the dog’s owner, when the incident happens at a grocery store, it opens the store up to potential action.
So, your options depend on what happened. But the law allows you to get benefits and support from the dog owner and the grocery store. Here’s how you can do it:
- File an insurance claim – Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bites. You might be able to ask for certain compensation from the owner’s insurance company to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
- Sue the owner – If the owner’s insurance doesn’t give you enough or denies your claim, you could sue the owner. In a lawsuit, you can ask for financial support for your injuries, property damage, lost income, and mental and emotional distress caused by the bite.
- Claim against the grocery store – If the bite happened in a grocery store because rules like leash laws weren’t followed, you can bring a claim against the store’s liability insurance for the same damages as the other claims.
Again, it’s important to keep in mind that dog bite cases can be hard, so our experienced dog bite lawyers can help. They’ll explain your choices and guide you on what’s best for your situation.
Contact Maison Law After a Dog Bite at a California Grocery Store
Getting bitten by a dog can cause injuries and emotional pain. In these tough times, having our team at Maison Law on your side can be vital to your ability to recover. Our California dog bite lawyers know how to handle these cases, making sure your rights are protected and you get the help you need. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to get started.
