Merced Dog Bite Attorney

Dog Bite Lawyers Serving Merced and Merced County

A dog attack leaves victims dealing with injuries, medical bills, missed work, and emotional trauma — often all at once. If you were bitten by a dog in Merced or anywhere in Merced County, California law entitles you to compensation from the dog’s owner. At Dog Bite Law Group, we handle dog bite cases exclusively, and attorney John Montevideo works personally on every case we take.

merced dog bite lawyer

Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners bear strict liability for bites their animals cause. The owner’s knowledge — or lack of knowledge — about the dog’s history is irrelevant. The bite itself establishes liability.

$301,000 Settlement*

Pit Bull Attack — Scarring, Fractures & Spinal Disc Injury; Client’s Dog Killed

Case Type
Dog Bite Attack
Injuries
Scarring, Fractures, Annular Fissure
Defendants
Dog Owners & House Sitter
Resolution
Pre-Trial Settlement

An elderly woman was walking her Labrador through her neighborhood when a pit bull escaped from a nearby property and attacked without warning. The pit bull first seized the Labrador by the hindquarter, then knocked our client to the ground. She sustained severe scarring and fractures to her forearms and hands, as well as an annular fissure in the paracentral disc — a serious spinal injury. Witnesses described the scene as extremely violent. The Labrador did not survive the attack.

The defense denied all liability and attempted to shift blame to the victim, arguing that her efforts to protect her dog constituted comparative fault. Dog Bite Law Group overcame each defense argument and secured a $301,000 settlement covering past and future medical costs and past and future pain and suffering — recovered from two separate defendants: the dog’s owners and a friend who was house-sitting at the time of the attack.

*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 →

Damages Available to Merced Dog Bite Victims

California law allows injured dog bite victims to pursue full compensation for every consequence of the attack. Depending on the severity of your injuries, a claim may include recovery for:

  • All medical treatment — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and specialist visits
  • Ongoing and future care needs, including reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation
  • Income lost during recovery and any long-term reduction in your ability to work
  • Physical pain and suffering, both past and future
  • Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological injuries
  • Permanent disfigurement or scarring
  • Costs incurred as a direct result of the attack

The dog owner’s homeowners or renters policy is typically the primary source of recovery. Our firm handles all insurer communications directly, so you are never in the position of negotiating against a carrier on your own.

Strict Liability Under California Civil Code § 3342

California’s dog bite statute removes the burden of proving negligence. To establish a claim, a victim need only show that the defendant owned the dog, the bite occurred in a public place or on property where the victim was lawfully present, and the bite caused harm. There is no requirement to show a prior incident or that the owner had reason to believe the dog was dangerous.

Importantly, this standard applies from the very first bite. A dog owner in Merced cannot avoid liability by claiming their dog had never shown aggression before. Our attorneys know how to document and present every element of a Merced County dog bite case to achieve the strongest possible outcome.

Reporting a Dog Bite in Merced

An official animal control report is one of the most valuable pieces of documentation in a dog bite case. It records the incident, triggers a quarantine and rabies evaluation, and can establish whether the animal has a bite history that the owner failed to disclose. Report as soon as possible after the attack.

Merced County Animal Services

Serving unincorporated Merced County communities including Atwater, Ballico, Cressey, Delhi, Dos Palos, El Nido, Gustine, Hilmar, Le Grand, Livingston, Los Banos, and surrounding areas.

City of Merced Animal Control

For bites occurring within Merced city limits.

  • Location: 611 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340
  • Phone: (209) 385-6905
  • Hours: Dispatchers available 24 hours per day
  • Emergency: Call 911

For a full directory of animal control resources throughout the county, visit our Merced County Animal Control Information page.

Merced County Dog Leash Laws

Under Merced County Code Chapter 7.04, no person shall permit a dog to stray from private property unless the dog is restrained by a leash or lead not exceeding eight feet in length. The ordinance also mandates that any person with knowledge of an animal bite in the unincorporated areas of Merced County must report it to Merced County Animal Control or the Health Department.

When a dog owner allows their animal off their property without a leash — in violation of Chapter 7.04 — and that dog bites someone, the ordinance violation becomes direct evidence of the owner’s negligence. That evidence works alongside the strict liability standard to build a stronger claim for the victim. For the full text of leash laws applicable throughout Merced County, including city-specific ordinances, see our Merced County Dog Leash Laws page.

Your Attorney: John Michael Montevideo

JM

Founder & Lead Trial Attorney — Dog Bite Law Group

John Montevideo built Dog Bite Law Group around a single practice area: dog bite and dog attack cases. Every case the firm accepts is a dog bite case. That concentration means John is not splitting his time between different areas of law — he is applying the full depth of his experience in California strict liability, insurance coverage analysis, and trial preparation to your case specifically.

John has secured recoveries ranging from five figures to eight figures for clients across California. He is admitted before all California courts and the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts. The National Trial Lawyers has named him a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer. He has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Top 40 Under 40 honoree.

Clients do not get handed off to staff. John is the attorney on your file from the first conversation to the last. Read John’s full bio →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the dog need a history of aggression for me to recover in California?

No. California’s strict liability rule under Civil Code § 3342 applies regardless of the dog’s history. Owners are responsible from the first incident — there is no grace period and no “first bite free” defense available to them under California law.

The dog that attacked me was not on a leash. How does that affect my claim?

Merced County Code Chapter 7.04 requires all dogs off their owner’s property to be leashed. A dog running free at the time of the attack is a dog whose owner was already in violation of that ordinance. That violation supports a negligence claim alongside the strict liability basis, and it can affect how insurers and courts evaluate the owner’s conduct. Our Merced County Dog Leash Laws page has the full ordinance language.

I was bitten at a neighbor’s home. Can I still make a claim?

Yes. California’s strict liability statute covers bites that occur on private property as long as the victim was lawfully present. Social guests, invited visitors, and anyone with permission to be on the property at the time of the bite are all protected under § 3342.

Which animal control agency should I contact in Merced County?

If the bite occurred within the City of Merced, call City of Merced Animal Control at (209) 385-6905 — they have dispatchers available around the clock. If the bite occurred outside city limits in unincorporated Merced County, call Merced County Animal Services at (209) 385-7436, or (209) 725-7655 after hours. Our Merced County Animal Control Information page lists all agencies and communities served.

What if the dog owner’s insurance company contacts me before I hire an attorney?

Do not provide a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance carriers move quickly after a bite incident specifically to close claims before victims understand the full scope of their damages. Accepting an early offer typically waives your right to further compensation. Call our office first.

How much time do I have to pursue a dog bite claim in Merced County?

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury gives you two years from the date of the attack. For injured minors, that period generally does not begin until the child turns 18. Acting promptly matters regardless — witness memories fade, animal control records are not retained indefinitely, and early documentation is almost always stronger than late documentation.

There Are No Fees Unless We Win

Dog Bite Law Group takes dog bite cases on a contingency basis. There is no retainer, no upfront payment, and no hourly billing. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe nothing. That arrangement means every Merced dog bite victim — regardless of their financial situation — can access experienced legal representation.

To speak directly with attorney John Montevideo about your case, call us today for a free consultation. Call (951) 888-3401. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.