Santa Monica Dog Bite Attorney
Dog Bite Lawyers Serving Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a city where outdoor life and high dog ownership intersect constantly — on the Third Street Promenade, along the Santa Monica Pier, in Palisades Park, and throughout the dense residential neighborhoods east of Lincoln Boulevard. Dog bite incidents are a real consequence of that environment, and the injuries they cause can be serious, permanent, and expensive. If you or a family member has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Santa Monica, you have rights under California law and a limited time to act on them.
Dog Bite Law Group represents victims in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles County. Attorney John Montevideo focuses exclusively on dog bite cases and will work on your file personally from the first conversation to the final resolution.
Santa Monica Animals: Leash Laws
Santa Monica Animals at Large Laws Text
Article 4, Chapter 4, § 4.04.150 Animals at large.
No person having control, charge or custody of any animal, shall permit the animal to stray, or run at large in or upon any private property without the property owner’s or occupant’s permission, any unenclosed private property or any public property, except as authorized by this Chapter. Any animal found straying or at large in or upon public property or private property may be impounded by the City. The City will endeavor to first return any cat with a license issued to pursuant Section 4.04.170 of this Code found running at large to its owner prior to impound upon a first offense. Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of an infraction which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars per violation with each day or partial day of violation counting as a separate offense.
In addition to the penalties herein above provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by this City, summarily abated as such, and each day such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
(Prior code § 4114; amended by Ord. No. 1053, adopted 1/25/77; Ord. No. 1710CCS § 1, adopted 11/9/93; Ord. No. 1759CCS § 1, adopted 8/2/94; Ord. No. 2137CCS § 1, adopted 8/10/04; Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025)
§ 4.04.155 Dogs on public property.
(a) No person having control, charge or custody of any dog shall permit the dog to be upon any public property, unless the dog is in the custody and control of a competent person and either:
(1) Confined in an automobile; or
(2) Restrained by a chain or leash six feet or less in fixed length.
(Added by Ord. No. 2137CCS § 2, adopted 8/10/04; amended by Ord. No. 2813CCS, 5/27/2025; Ord. No. 2830CCS, 10/14/2025)
For the full text of leash laws across Los Angeles County, including all city-specific ordinances, see our Los Angeles Dog Leash Laws page. Some incorporated cities in Los Angeles County operate their own animal control departments and are not served by Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control. These include Santa Monica, Long Beach, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and several others. If your dog bite occurred in one of these cities, contact that city’s animal control agency instead.
What Santa Monica Dog Bite Victims Can Recover
California law allows victims to pursue full compensation for every consequence of a dog bite. A successful claim in Santa Monica may include recovery for:
- All medical treatment — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, wound care, and specialist visits
- Future medical costs including reconstructive procedures, physical therapy, and mental health care
- Lost wages during recovery and reduced earning capacity going forward
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological injuries
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- All out-of-pocket expenses tied to the attack
The dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance is typically the primary source of recovery. Our firm takes over all insurer communications so you are never negotiating alone against a professional adjuster.
California Strict Liability Under Civil Code § 3342
California does not follow a “one bite rule.” Under Civil Code § 3342, a dog owner is strictly liable for bite injuries regardless of the dog’s prior history. To establish a claim in Santa Monica, a victim must show the defendant owned the dog, the bite occurred in a public place or on property where the victim was lawfully present, and harm resulted.
Santa Monica’s beaches, parks, promenade, pier area, and public sidewalks are all public places fully covered by this standard. Private residences are covered when the victim was a lawful guest, delivery worker, contractor, or any person with permission to be on the property.
Reporting a Dog Bite in Santa Monica
An official animal control report creates a documented record, triggers a mandatory quarantine and rabies evaluation, and establishes whether the dog has any prior bite history. The sooner a report is filed, the stronger the resulting documentation.
Santa Monica Animal Services
Santa Monica operates its own independent animal control department — separate from the Los Angeles County system.
- Address: 1640 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
- Phone: (310) 458-8594
- Emergency / After Hours: Santa Monica Police Department: (310) 395-9931 | Emergencies: 911
- Website: City of Santa Monica Animal Services
For a complete directory of animal control resources throughout Los Angeles County, visit our dedicated page: How to Report a Dog Bite Attack in Los Angeles County.
Your Attorney: John Michael Montevideo
Founder & Lead Trial Attorney — Dog Bite Law Group
John Montevideo’s practice is built on a single focus: dog bite cases. No general personal injury, no other practice areas — only dog bite and dog attack matters. That depth of specialization means every case he takes benefits from his complete command of California strict liability law, Santa Monica’s municipal ordinances, and the defense strategies insurers deploy in Los Angeles County.
John has recovered compensation ranging from five figures to eight figures for clients across California. He is admitted before all California courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts. He has been recognized as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and a Top 40 Under 40 honoree.
Santa Monica clients work directly with John throughout their case — from the first call to the last document. Read John’s full bio →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Monica have its own leash law, or does LA County’s apply?
Santa Monica has its own municipal ordinance — § 4.04.155 — which is distinct from the Los Angeles County standard. It requires all dogs on public property to be in the custody of a competent person and restrained by a leash of six feet or less. Any violation of this ordinance at the time of a bite supports a negligence claim in addition to the strict liability already established under California Civil Code § 3342.
I was bitten near the Santa Monica Pier or on the Promenade. Is that covered?
Yes. The pier area, Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, and all of Santa Monica’s public sidewalks and parks are public places under § 3342. Strict liability applies in full, and any off-leash dog in these locations also violates § 4.04.155.
Who handles animal control in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica operates its own independent animal control department at 1640 9th Street. Reach them at (310) 458-8594. After hours, contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 395-9931. Santa Monica is not served by the LA County animal control system — this distinction matters when filing your report.
What if the dog bit me at a hotel, vacation rental, or business in Santa Monica?
You may have a claim against the dog owner, the property owner, or both depending on the circumstances. California’s strict liability statute applies to any bite on property where the victim was lawfully present. Our attorneys investigate all responsible parties, not just the dog’s immediate owner.
The owner says their dog has never bitten anyone before. Does that help them?
No. California Civil Code § 3342 imposes strict liability regardless of prior bite history. A dog owner in Santa Monica has no “first bite” defense. The absence of prior incidents is legally irrelevant to your right to compensation.
How long do I have to file a claim after a dog bite in Santa Monica?
Under California law, dog bite victims have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. For injured minors, that window generally does not begin until the child’s 18th birthday. Contact our office as soon as possible — evidence is best preserved early, and animal control records have retention limits.
No Fee Unless We Win
Dog Bite Law Group handles every Santa Monica dog bite case on a contingency fee basis. There is no retainer and no hourly billing. You owe nothing at all unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Reach attorney John Montevideo directly today for a free case evaluation. Call (951) 888-3401. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
