After a dog attack, the physical and emotional shock can be overwhelming. Between seeking medical treatment, documenting your injuries, and trying to figure out what comes next, one question often gets overlooked: does this need to be officially reported?
The short answer is yes — and in San Bernardino County, the reporting requirement isn’t optional. Under California law, dog bites must be reported, healthcare providers who treat bite victims are legally required to make that report, and the official record created by that report can become one of the most important pieces of evidence in your injury case.
At Dog Bite Law Group, we focus exclusively on dog bite cases throughout California. Attorney John Michael Montevideo — named a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer in California by the National Trial Lawyers and a Super Lawyers Rising Star — has handled hundreds of dog bite cases with five, six, seven, and eight-figure results. Here’s exactly what California law requires when it comes to reporting dog bites in San Bernardino County, and why it matters for your case.
California’s Dog Bite Reporting Law: The Short Version
The primary law governing dog bite reporting in California is Title 17, Section 2606 of the California Code of Regulations (17 CCR § 2606). This regulation requires that any animal bite to a human be reported to the local health officer or their designee — and it applies immediately.
The regulation is tied to rabies control. California designates certain counties as “rabies areas” — counties where rabies is considered a public health hazard. Since 1987, the Director of the State Department of Health Services has designated all 58 California counties as rabies areas. That means San Bernardino County is a designated rabies area, and every dog bite that occurs here is subject to the mandatory reporting requirement — regardless of whether the dog shows any signs of rabies or has been vaccinated.
Who Is Required to Report a Dog Bite in San Bernardino County?
California law casts a wide net on who must report. The regulation states that “any person knowing the whereabouts of an animal” responsible for a bite must report it. In practice, this means:
In San Bernardino County specifically, reports can be made to the San Bernardino County Department of Animal Care at (800) 472-5609, or by completing the Bite Report Form and submitting it directly. If the bite occurred within an incorporated city, the local animal control agency for that city may be the appropriate reporting body.
What Happens After a Dog Bite Is Reported in San Bernardino County?
Reporting a bite sets a specific legal and public health process in motion. Here is what California state law and San Bernardino County procedures require:
- Mandatory 10-day quarantine. State law requires that any dog involved in a bite that breaks the skin be placed under a 10-day quarantine to monitor for signs of rabies. This quarantine can be served at the owner’s home — if authorities are satisfied with the containment — or at a licensed animal shelter. After 10 days, if the dog appears healthy, it is released.
- Animal control investigation. An animal control officer investigates the incident, documents the dog’s breed and history, gathers information about the owner, and assesses whether the dog may be classified as dangerous or vicious under San Bernardino County ordinances.
- Official record creation. The incident report becomes an official document that includes the date, time, and location of the bite; the identity of the victim; the dog owner’s contact information; a description of the dog; and notes on the injuries sustained. This record is a critical piece of evidence in any subsequent civil claim.
- Potential dangerous dog proceedings. If the dog has a prior bite history, San Bernardino County can initiate proceedings to classify it as a dangerous or vicious dog — imposing restrictions on the owner or, in severe cases, ordering the animal be humanely euthanized.
“Reporting a dog bite isn’t just a legal obligation — it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect your health, hold the owner accountable, and strengthen your injury claim.”
— John Michael Montevideo, Founder, Dog Bite Law Group
Why Reporting a Dog Bite Protects Your Legal Case
California Civil Code § 3342 makes this state one of the strongest in the country for dog bite victims. California is a strict liability state — meaning a dog owner can be held responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, even if the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous, and even if they took all reasonable precautions. There is no “one free bite” rule here.
What that means for you is this: if you were bitten, the owner is almost certainly liable. But proving your case — and recovering maximum compensation from the owner’s homeowners insurance — requires documentation. The official animal control report does several important things for your claim:
What If the Dog Owner Discourages You From Reporting?
It happens more often than you might expect. A dog owner — worried about liability, their homeowners insurance premium, or their pet’s fate — may try to talk you out of filing a report. They may promise to pay your medical bills out of pocket, insist the dog is “up to date on its shots,” or suggest that reporting is unnecessary for a “small” bite.
Do not agree to handle this privately. Here is why:
First, you have no way of knowing whether that dog has bitten someone before, whether it is truly vaccinated, or whether the owner will follow through on any informal promises. Second, if your injuries turn out to be more serious than they initially appeared — infections, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma are all common consequences of dog bites — you will have no official record to support your claim. Third, and most importantly, the reporting requirement exists under California law regardless of what the dog owner wants. You cannot waive a public health reporting obligation on behalf of the state.
If a dog owner has pressured you not to report, contact the San Bernardino County dog bite attorneys at Dog Bite Law Group immediately. We can help you file the report, preserve evidence, and protect your rights before the statute of limitations begins to run.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the statute of limitations for a dog bite personal injury claim is two years from the date of the bite. This deadline is strict — miss it, and you lose your right to sue, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Two years sounds like a long time. It isn’t. Evidence fades. Witnesses move. The dog owner’s insurance policy terms change. Animal control records get archived. The sooner you report, seek medical treatment, and speak with an attorney, the stronger your case will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all dog bites in San Bernardino County required to be reported?
Yes. Under 17 California Code of Regulations § 2606, all dog bites occurring in a designated rabies area must be reported to the local health officer or their designee. San Bernardino County — like all 58 California counties — has been a designated rabies area since 1987. Healthcare providers who treat bite victims are legally required to report immediately. Victims may also report directly to the San Bernardino County Department of Animal Care at (800) 472-5609.
Who is required to report a dog bite in San Bernardino County?
Under California law, any person who knows where the biting animal is must report it. Healthcare providers are specifically required by 17 CCR § 2606 to report immediately. The bite victim, witnesses, and property owners may all report to San Bernardino County Animal Care or local law enforcement. For injuries that break the skin, a quarantine of the dog is mandatory under state law.
What happens after a dog bite is reported in San Bernardino County?
The biting dog is placed under a mandatory 10-day quarantine monitored for rabies. Animal control investigates, documents the incident, and may initiate dangerous dog proceedings if warranted. The official report creates a contemporaneous record of the bite, the dog’s identity, and the owner’s information — all of which are important evidence in a civil injury claim.
Does reporting a dog bite help my injury case in California?
Significantly. The official animal control report documents the incident immediately, locks in the dog owner’s identity, and may reveal prior bite history. Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for bites regardless of prior knowledge of aggression. An official report, combined with prompt medical treatment, forms the foundation of a strong injury claim. A San Bernardino County dog bite attorney can help you use that report to pursue full compensation from the owner’s homeowners insurance.
What if the dog owner asks me not to report the bite?
Report anyway. The reporting requirement exists under California state law as a public health obligation — it cannot be waived by the dog owner or informally agreed away between the parties. If an owner discourages you from reporting, that itself is a warning sign. Contact Dog Bite Law Group for a free consultation before making any informal agreements.
Talk Directly to John Montevideo — Not an Intake Person
At Dog Bite Law Group, you will never be handed off to a paralegal or a case manager. When you call, you speak directly with attorney John Michael Montevideo — a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer in California with hundreds of successful dog bite cases and results ranging from five figures to eight. He will listen to what happened, explain your rights under California law, and tell you honestly what your case is worth.
Every case is handled on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case. Anyone, regardless of financial situation, can afford to hire us.
About the Author
John Michael Montevideo, Esq.
Founder & Senior Trial Attorney · Dog Bite Law Group (Montevideo Law, PC) · Irvine, CA
John Michael Montevideo founded Dog Bite Law Group to do one thing: protect the rights of people who have been bitten or attacked by dogs. He is named a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer in California by the National Trial Lawyers, a Super Lawyers Rising Star rated Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern California, and a Top 40 Under 40 honoree. He has handled hundreds of dog bite cases with five, six, seven, and eight-figure verdicts and settlements.
Prior to founding Dog Bite Law Group, John served as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and honed his trial skills at prominent plaintiff firms in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County. He is admitted to all California state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California, and the District of Columbia. He is a Board of Director for the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) and a Board of Governor of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC).
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This article is written by John Michael Montevideo, Esq. of Montevideo Law, PC dba Dog Bite Law Group for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results referenced are specific to those matters and do not guarantee similar outcomes. California law cited reflects current statutes and regulations but may be subject to change. Please consult a licensed California attorney regarding your specific circumstances. Dog Bite Law Group is available 24/7 at (951) 888-3401.