Los Angeles County
Dog Bite Attorneys

If you’re bitten by a dog in Los Angeles County, your first step should be to get medical care as soon as possible — even seemingly minor bites can lead to infection or other complications. After ensuring your health is addressed, document the bite with photos and detailed notes about what happened. Reporting it promptly to LA County Animal Care & Control or the Department of Public Health starts the official process and helps ensure the dog is monitored for rabies.

After ensuring your safety and health, try to collect as much information as possible about the bite incident. This includes contact information for the dog’s owner, descriptions of the dog and exactly where the bite happened, plus names of any witnesses. Photos of injuries and the scene can help preserve evidence for reporting and follow-up steps.

Once a dog bite is reported in Los Angeles County, animal control officers respond to take a formal bite report, assess the situation, and ensure the animal is quarantined or otherwise observed for public safety. The health department may also be involved, especially to evaluate rabies risk and determine any necessary public health action. This process helps protect both the victim and the community.

Yes — Los Angeles County rules require that all animal bites to people (except those from small rodents and rabbits) be reported immediately to proper authorities. Reporting enables health officials to track potentially dangerous animals, enforce quarantine protocols, and reduce the risk of disease spread. Timely reporting also supports any follow-up care or documentation you might need.

Dog bites can produce a range of injuries, from puncture wounds and lacerations to deeper soft-tissue damage and, in severe cases, broken bones. A healthcare provider will typically clean and dress wounds, assess risk for infection or rabies exposure, and recommend appropriate follow-up care. Keeping records of all treatment is important for your health and for any future questions about recovery.

Children are at higher risk for dog bite injuries because of their size and unpredictable interactions with animals. Supervision around unfamiliar dogs, teaching kids not to approach unknown animals, and avoiding rough play that might startle a dog can reduce risks. Knowing local leash rules and dog control policies in LA parks and neighborhoods also helps keep kids safer.

In Los Angeles County, dog bites must be reported to the local animal control agency or the Department of Public Health right away. This prompt report triggers public health protocols like a quarantine period for the biting animal — typically around 10-days — to monitor for rabies and other disease risks. Animal control may also contact the dog owner and gather critical details about the incident.

CLICK HERE to report a dog bite in LA County.

If you’re concerned about a dog in your community, reporting past aggressive behavior to local animal control helps authorities track potentially dangerous animals. LA County leash and containment rules require that dogs be under control in public spaces — which reduces roaming and unsupervised contact with people. Sharing information with neighbors and understanding local animal services protocols can also improve overall safety.

You should contact animal control in Los Angeles County as soon as possible after a bite once you’ve received any urgent medical care. Prompt reporting ensures the biting dog is quarantined and prevents further public health risks. Animal control will take a formal report and often coordinate with public health officials to follow up on quarantine or rabies concerns.

Yes, dog bite infections can develop hours or even days after the initial injury, even if the wound seemed minor at first. In Los Angeles County, warm weather and outdoor activity can increase exposure to bacteria, especially if the skin was punctured. Warning signs include redness spreading from the wound, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, or increasing pain. Seeking medical evaluation quickly can prevent more serious complications and long-term healing issues.