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Dog bite in Bakersfield?Talk to a lawyer for free.

Bakersfield's city code says the dog's owner and the person bitten must both report a bite right away. Under California law, the owner is responsible even for a first bite.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
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Call our Bakersfield office(661) 426-817924/7 line: (800) 985-9565

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I appreciated that they didn't rush me out the door and actually took the time to hear my case from beginning to end.
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Results that speak.Millions won for injured clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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Here to protect your interests, not the insurance company's

Insurance companies have a team.You should have one too.

The owner's homeowners or renters insurer usually handles a dog bite claim, with adjusters and lawyers of its own. Whether you were bitten on a walk along Ming Avenue, at a neighbor's house in Oildale or at a friend's home in Lamont, an adjuster may call within days, and what you say can shape the rest of your claim.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Has the bite been reported to animal control, as Bakersfield's city code requires?
  2. Do you know who owns the dog, and whether they have homeowners or renters insurance?
  3. Will the settlement cover scars, follow-up care and lost income months from now, not just today?

From one of our car accident cases

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car accident that left our client with a neck injury. Most people would have taken the offer. We won more than ten times as much.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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Our office in Bakersfield

Local dog bite lawyers,right here in Bakersfield.

Not every firm that advertises in Bakersfield has an office here. We do.

Our office is on California Avenue, and we know who handles a bite where: the Police Department's Animal Control Unit inside city limits, and Kern County Animal Services in Oildale, Lamont and the rest of the county. Come in, or we'll come to you anywhere in Kern and Tulare Counties.

Nearby officesPalmdaleFresnoWoodland Hills

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

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Real reviews fromour clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
Thank you, Valero Law Group, for getting me paid after I got bit by my neighbor's dog!
William D.Google review
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From my first consultation to the final settlement, the Valero Law Firm was exceptional. They genuinely cared about my well-being and worked tirelessly to get me the compensation I deserved.
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I didn't know what to do or if I even had a case, but I decided to contact Valero on the recommendation of a family member, and it was the best decision.
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What you can recover aftera dog bite in California.

Under California law, the dog's owner can be held responsible for a bite, whether or not the dog had bitten before. Someone else, such as a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog and could have had it removed, can be held responsible only in narrower cases.

Economic damages

The costs you can add up

  • Emergency care, stitches and hospital bills
  • Rabies shots and follow-up care, if your doctor orders them
  • Corrective or cosmetic surgery for scars
  • Lost wages while you heal

Non-economic damages

The harm that has no receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Emotional distress after the attack
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • 10 daysQuarantine after a biteBakersfield's city code has animal control quarantine a dog that bites someone for ten days, at the owner's home or another place it chooses (BMC §6.04.080). Kern County does the same outside city limits (Kern County Animal Services).
  • 1st biteNo first-bite pass in CaliforniaThe owner is responsible for a bite in a public place, or on private property where you were lawfully, regardless of the dog's past or whether the owner knew it could bite (Civil Code §3342).
  • 2,830California dog-related injury claims in 2025The most of any state, up from 2,417 in 2024, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. Homeowners and renters policies typically cover these claims, up to their liability limits.

After a dog bite in Bakersfield,what comes next.

Care, the required report, the quarantine, evidence and deadlines, explained.

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  • Clean the wound and see a doctor
    Wash the bite with soap under running water for five minutes, then get medical care if it's serious or later shows pain, redness, swelling or discharge (CDPH). A doctor decides whether rabies shots are needed. For a serious mauling, Kern Medical on Mount Vernon Avenue is the county's only Level II trauma center.
  • Report it right away: it's required
    Bakersfield's city code says both the dog's owner and the person bitten must report a dog bite immediately to animal control. Outside city limits, Kern County's code requires the owner, and anyone who treats a bite, to report it. Keep the report number.
  • City limits or county? Call the right one
    It depends on the address where the bite happened. Inside Bakersfield city limits, it's the Police Department's Animal Control Unit, (661) 326-3436, or its online complaint form; field officers work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. In Oildale, Lamont and other unincorporated areas, it's Kern County Animal Services, (661) 868-7100, option 2, or its online bite report. If the dog is still a danger, call 911.
  • The dog is quarantined for 10 days
    Animal control places the dog under quarantine for ten days, at the owner's home or another place it designates (BMC §6.04.080). Outside city limits, an unvaccinated dog may be quarantined at the county shelter at the owner's expense (Kern County Code §7.08.080), and the dog is tested for rabies if rabies is suspected (KCAS).
  • Gather what proves it
    The owner's name, address and phone, a description of the dog, the address where it happened, and witnesses' names. Take dated photos of your injuries as they heal, and ask for copies of your medical and billing records, which you have a right to, even with a bill unpaid.
  • Deadlines, and who usually pays
    A lawsuit is generally due within two years; for a child bitten by a privately owned dog, that clock usually waits until 18. A claim against a public agency, such as for a police dog's bite, is usually due within six months. Homeowners or renters insurance usually pays.
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Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a Bakersfield dog bite.

Is the owner responsible if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes. California has no "one free bite" rule. Under Civil Code §3342, the owner is responsible for a bite in a public place, or on private property where you were lawfully, regardless of the dog's past or whether the owner knew it could bite. Someone else, such as a landlord, can be responsible only in narrower cases, for example when they knew about the dangerous dog and had the right to have it removed.
Do I have to report a dog bite in Bakersfield?
Yes. Bakersfield's city code says the person bitten, and the dog's owner, must report it immediately to animal control, which places the dog under quarantine. Outside city limits, Kern County's code requires the owner and anyone who treats the bite to report it.
Who do I call: the City or Kern County?
It depends on where the bite happened. Inside Bakersfield city limits, call Bakersfield Police Animal Control at (661) 326-3436. Outside city limits, call Kern County Animal Services at (661) 868-7100, option 2, the same number for emergencies after hours. If the dog is still a danger, call 911.
What happens to the dog that bit me?
It's quarantined for ten days, at the owner's home or wherever animal control decides, and tested for rabies if rabies is suspected. Under state law, a dog that bites someone without provocation can be declared potentially dangerous, and a dog that, unprovoked, severely injures or kills a person can be declared vicious.
Who pays: the owner or insurance?
Usually the owner's homeowners or renters insurance, up to the policy's liability limit, typically $100,000 to $300,000; above that, the owner is responsible (Insurance Information Institute). Coverage depends on the policy, and some insurers won't insure owners of certain breeds.
My child was bitten. How long do we have?
Most dog bite lawsuits must be filed within two years. Against a private owner, those two years generally don't run while the child is a minor. Against a public agency, a written claim is still usually due within six months. If six months have passed, call us anyway: when the injured person was a child for those whole six months, the agency generally must allow a late claim if you ask within a year of the injury.
Do you have an office in Bakersfield?
Yes. Our office is at 5100 California Ave, Suite 104, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Come in if you like, or we'll come to you, at home or in the hospital. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a Bakersfield dog bite lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

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