Advocacy & Safety - Anybody know the dog laws in CA?

Yesterday, I was riding on a dirt trail next to a creek. There was a wife with a stroller, a husband, and an unleashed dog. The dog was on the right of the family and trail, then ran to the left side of the trail so i proceeded to pass on the right. That was when the dog ran right in front of me :mad: So I slammed the brakes and fell to the side to avoid the dog. Luckily, I did not hit the dog and sustained no injuries. My wired $7 cyclocomputer ripped though, along with my handlebar going out of alignment. The husband and the wife had no idea why I fell until I told them their dog ran in front of my bike :eek:

Just out of curiosity, is there a law in CA that makes the owner of the dog responsible for any injuries? I heard that in Ohio, the owner is liable under dog statutes if their dog "caused" the accident even if the dog comes up and licks your hand!

Dogs are supposed to stay in the dog lane. ;)

I think trails and such are probably regulated by local ordinance.

The law goes by county and not by state. In LA county they have to be leashed. I actually had a cop stop one day to tell me I had to leash my dogs as he rolled through the area. I said ok, and he left. We have a lot of unleashed dogs on our block. They play along a stretch of 3 yards every afternoon in a big hangout with no problems.

I however wouldn't trust them to go on a walk without a leash. Call your local animal control office and ask for the law there. You can report people if you know where they live.

Generally most public land requires leashes now in CA.

California has strict liability when it comes to dogs. That means if something happens in a public area it is the dogs fault. END.

That is different from leash laws. Those do vary from place to place.

state law is that the dog is to be on a leash at all times unless at specified dog parks and leash free zones when in public that is the ca state law no real liability stuff