On November 2, 2025, my dog was chained and securely restrained on my own porch. Despite being on private property, a child—who is routinely left unsupervised in the neighborhood—entered without permission and was bitten. I had issued multiple verbal warnings to the child's parent about the necessity of supervision and respect for property boundaries. Tragically, I was held strictly liable under California Civil Code Section 3342, resulting in the loss of my dog and imposing significant emotional stress and financial hardship upon my family.

California's current dog bite liability laws are unfairly punitive to responsible dog owners who maintain control of their animals on private property. The law does not differentiate between bites occurring in public places and those happening on private property under controlled conditions. Responsible owners should not fear disproportionate legal and financial repercussions when their pets protect their homes.

The legislation also fails to hold trespassers accountable for injuries they may sustain while unlawfully entering private property. This oversight places unneeded strain on dog owners who find themselves wrongfully judged as negligent or reckless. It is crucial for our laws to reflect a balanced responsibility between property owners and those unlawfully on their land.

We call on California lawmakers to reform Civil Code Section 3342 to provide reasonable protections for responsible dog owners while imposing liability on individuals who trespass onto private properties. By doing so, we establish a fair legal environment that respects both private property rights and public safety concerns.

We urge our community to come together and support this necessary legal reform to protect responsible dog owners from undue penalty while ensuring that liability is accurately assigned to those unlawfully entering private properties. Please sign this petition to drive legislative action towards a fair and balanced approach in addressing dog bite liability in California.