Colton Dog Bite Lawyer

Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers Serving Colton

colton dog bite lawyer

If you or a family member has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Colton, the law is firmly on your side — and so are we. At Dog Bite Law Group, our Colton dog bite attorneys represent injured victims throughout the Inland Empire and fight to recover every dollar of compensation you are owed. We manage the entire process from the first call to final resolution so you can concentrate on healing.

Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries their animals cause — regardless of the dog’s prior history and regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. There is no “one free bite” in California. The moment a dog bites you in Colton, liability attaches.

What Happened to You Has Real Consequences

Colton is a working community anchored by the Santa Ana River corridor, the city’s 12 public parks, the popular Santa Ana River Trail, and residential neighborhoods where dogs are a constant presence. Dog bites happen on sidewalks along La Cadena Drive, in parks like George E. Brown Jr. Park and Fleming Park, and in residential areas throughout the city. They happen without warning — to people walking, jogging, cycling, or simply visiting a neighbor.

The consequences are serious and lasting. A dog bite can cause deep puncture wounds, lacerations, fractured bones, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and life-altering psychological trauma including PTSD. Children are disproportionately the most severely injured victims. Medical bills, lost income, and emotional suffering stack up fast — and you should not have to carry any of it.

$1,301,000 Settlement*

Dog Bite to the Face — Severe Facial Scarring, Partial Nose Amputation & Psychological Damages

Case Type
Dog Bite Attack
Injuries
Facial Scarring, Disfigurement, Psychological Trauma
Coverage Sources
Homeowners + Umbrella Excess Policy
Resolution
Pre-Trial Settlement

A 34-year-old woman was visiting a friend’s home when the dog suddenly lunged at her face without warning, biting her on the nose and lip. The bite was severe enough to partially tear her nose from her face. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency composite graft surgery to repair the laceration and reattach the tissue. She was hospitalized for five nights and required multiple additional surgical procedures. Because tissue was lost, skin and cartilage were harvested from her ear to rebuild and support her nose. Hyperbaric treatments were required after each surgery throughout her recovery.

Beyond the physical injuries, our client experienced significant psychological harm. The visible facial disfigurement caused her to be stigmatized and subjected to discrimination, leading to severe anxiety and clinical depression following the attack. The defense denied all liability. Attorney John Montevideo and his team overcame every legal challenge, ultimately securing $301,000 from the underlying homeowners insurance policy and an additional $1,000,000 from the umbrella excess coverage — a total of $1,301,000 for past and future medical costs and past and future pain and suffering.

*All verdicts and settlements are the result of John Michael Montevideo’s work as lead trial attorney or as a key member of the litigation team. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View full case detail →

What You Can Recover After a Dog Bite in Colton

A successful dog bite claim in Colton can recover compensation for:

  • Emergency room and urgent care costs
  • Surgery, wound care, specialist visits, and all follow-up treatment
  • Future medical expenses including reconstructive procedures and physical therapy
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity going forward
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • All out-of-pocket costs connected to the attack

Most claims are resolved through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. Our attorneys handle all communication with the insurance carrier — protecting you from pressure tactics and settlement offers that fall far short of what you are actually owed. If the homeowners policy is not enough, as in the $1.3 million case above, we pursue every available layer of coverage.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Colton

The steps you take in the hours and days following a dog bite directly affect both your health and the value of your legal claim:

  • Get medical attention immediately — puncture wounds and lacerations can become infected rapidly, and some injuries are not visible at first
  • Photograph your injuries the day of the attack and each day that follows as bruising and swelling develop
  • Document the scene — photograph where the attack happened, any open gates, broken fences, or off-leash conditions
  • Get the dog owner’s full name, address, and insurance information
  • Collect witness names and contact information before leaving the scene
  • Report the bite to Colton Animal Control through the Colton Police Department (details below)
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney

Colton Dog Bite — At a Glance

§ 3342
California Strict Liability — no prior bite history required to recover
§ 32.0108
San Bernardino County Leash Law — applies to every public place in Colton
2 Years
Statute of limitations to file a dog bite lawsuit in California — act quickly
$0
Out-of-pocket cost — no fee of any kind unless we win your case
Colton Animal Control
(909) 370-5000
Colton Police Department Animal Services  ·  650 N. La Cadena Drive  ·  Message line: (909) 370-5019

Reporting a Dog Bite in Colton

Filing a report with animal control is one of the most important things you can do after a dog attack. It creates an official record, initiates a mandatory quarantine and rabies evaluation of the dog, and establishes whether the animal has a prior bite history — all of which can be critical evidence in your legal claim.

Colton Animal Control

Animal control services in Colton are handled through the Colton Police Department. Officers respond to dog bite incidents and handle quarantine, investigation, and enforcement of local animal ordinances.

For a full directory of San Bernardino County animal control agencies — including after-hours guidance — visit our dedicated page: How to Report a Dog Bite Attack in San Bernardino County.

Leash Laws in Colton

Colton follows San Bernardino County leash laws, which set clear legal requirements for how dogs must be controlled off private property. A violation of these rules at the time of the attack is direct evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen your claim.

Under San Bernardino County § 32.0108 — Control of Animals, no person who owns or controls an animal may permit it to run at large on any public street, sidewalk, school ground, public park, playground, or other public place. Any dog brought off private property must be on a leash held by a person capable of restraining it.

Under § 32.0101, a leash is defined as any rope, leather strap, chain, or similar material not exceeding six feet in length, held in the hand of a person capable of controlling the animal.

Colton’s parks, the Santa Ana River Trail, and its residential streets are all public places where these leash requirements apply in full. A dog that was off-leash or whose owner lost control at the time of the attack is a dog whose owner was already in violation of the law. For the complete ordinance text, see our San Bernardino County Leash Laws page.

How California’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law Works

To establish a successful dog bite claim in Colton under California Civil Code § 3342, four elements must be proven:

  • The dog that bit you belonged to the defendant
  • The bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property
  • You suffered harm as a result
  • The defendant’s dog was a substantial factor in causing that harm

California’s strict liability standard means you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. There is no “first bite free” defense here. Our Colton dog bite attorneys know how to build a complete, well-documented case that accounts for every element of your damages — including future costs that are easy to overlook without experienced legal counsel.

Your Attorney: John Michael Montevideo

JM

Founder & Lead Trial Attorney — Dog Bite Law Group

John Michael Montevideo founded Dog Bite Law Group to do one thing: help people who have been wronged get the justice and compensation they deserve. He dedicates his entire practice to dog bite cases — not car accidents, not slip-and-falls, not general personal injury. Dog bites. That focus means his knowledge of California dog bite law, insurance carrier tactics, and courtroom strategy is deep and current.

John has handled hundreds of dog bite cases and delivered results ranging from five figures to eight figures on behalf of his clients. He has been admitted to practice before all California courts, the District of Columbia, and the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California. He has been recognized as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, a Super Lawyer Rising Star, and a Top 40 Under 40 honoree.

When you retain Dog Bite Law Group, you work directly with John — not an intake coordinator, not a paralegal, not an associate. He takes your calls, he reviews your case, and he fights for you personally. Read John’s full bio →

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites in Colton

I was bitten while walking on the Santa Ana River Trail near Colton. Can I make a claim?

Yes. The Santa Ana River Trail is a public recreational path and a public place under California law. If a dog bit you there — whether the owner was walking the dog alongside you or the dog ran at you from a nearby area — California Civil Code § 3342 applies and the owner is strictly liable for your injuries.

The dog that bit me belongs to a neighbor on my block. Does pursuing a claim cause problems?

This is a concern we hear often, and it is understandable. In almost every case, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance — not directly out of their personal finances. You are making a claim against an insurance policy, not personally suing your neighbor. A good insurance policy is exactly what it exists for. Your injuries are real, your medical bills are real, and pursuing your rights is both appropriate and expected.

Who handles animal control in Colton?

Animal control in Colton is managed through the Colton Police Department’s Animal Services division. You can reach them at (909) 370-5000 (main) or (909) 370-5019 (message line). Reporting the bite promptly helps document the incident officially, triggers a rabies quarantine evaluation of the dog, and creates a record that may be valuable to your legal case.

What if the dog bit me on private property — someone’s yard or inside their home?

You are entitled to compensation as long as you were lawfully on the property at the time — meaning you were an invited guest, a delivery driver, a utility worker, a contractor, or otherwise had permission to be there. The location being private property does not protect the dog owner from liability under California’s strict liability statute.

The dog was off-leash on a Colton street. Does that affect my case?

Significantly. Colton follows San Bernardino County § 32.0108, which requires all dogs off private property to be restrained by a leash held by a capable person. An off-leash dog at the moment of the attack means the owner was already in violation of the law before the bite occurred. That ordinance violation is evidence of negligence that directly supports your right to compensation. See the full San Bernardino County Leash Laws for the specific statutory language.

What external resources are available to Colton dog bite victims?

Several local and state resources can assist you after a dog attack in Colton:

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Colton?

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury — including dog bites — is two years from the date of the attack. If the injured person is a minor, the clock generally does not begin until they turn 18. That said, waiting is never advisable. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and animal control records become harder to obtain. Contact us as soon as possible after the attack.

What if I don’t know who owns the dog?

Report the attack to the Colton Police Department’s Animal Services division immediately. They can investigate, attempt to locate the dog and its owner, and initiate a rabies evaluation. Even without an identified owner at the outset, an experienced dog bite attorney can often identify responsible parties through property records, witness accounts, and investigation. Contact us and we will help you assess your options.

There Are No Fees Unless We Win

Dog Bite Law Group works on a contingency fee basis. You owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you — no retainer, no hourly billing, no upfront costs of any kind. Anyone, regardless of financial situation, can afford to hire our firm.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in Colton, contact us today for a free consultation. You will speak directly with attorney John Montevideo from the first call. Call (951) 888-3401. We are available 24/7.