How to Report a Dog Bite in Long Beach

Long Beach handles dog bites itself, separately from the rest of Los Angeles County. The city has its own health department, and bites are reported to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Here is how to report, what happens next and how the records fit into an injury claim.

On this page: Medical care · Who to report to · What to have ready · Quarantine · Getting the report · Dangerous dog proceedings · Your injury claim · FAQ

Updated November 2026. Agency phone numbers and procedures can change; confirm details with the agency.

First: Get Medical Care

Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, and deep wounds can damage nerves and tendons. See a doctor the same day, even if the wound looks small. Hospitals and doctors are required to report animal bites, but do not assume the report was made. File your own.

Who to Report To

Report the bite to Long Beach Animal Care Services:

• Phone: (562) 570-7387.
• Online: the “Report Animal Bite” page and Animal Bite Report Form on the Animal Care Services website.

Long Beach Animal Care Services also provides animal control for Signal Hill and Cerritos. A bite in a neighboring city such as Lakewood, Carson or Seal Beach is reported to the agency for that city; see our Los Angeles County and Orange County guides. If a dog is loose and attacking, call 911.

Information to Have Ready

• The date, time and exact location of the bite.
• The owner’s name, address and phone number, if you know them.
• A description of the dog: breed, color, size, collar or tags. Photos help.
• Where the dog is now, and whether it was loose or leashed.
• Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the attack.
• Where you were treated.

If you do not know who owns the dog, report it anyway with the best description and location you can give.

The 10-Day Quarantine

California requires a dog that bites a person to be quarantined and observed for at least 10 days, even if it is vaccinated against rabies. In Long Beach the dog is quarantined at home or at a shelter depending on the circumstances, and the owner is notified once an animal control officer clears it. If the dog stays healthy for the full period, it could not have passed rabies through the bite. Ask the agency to tell you the outcome, and tell your doctor if the dog cannot be located.

How to Get a Copy of the Report

Bite reports and animal control case files can be requested under the California Public Records Act. Send a written request to the agency that took the report, with the date, location and names involved, and ask for the bite report, the quarantine outcome and any earlier complaints about the same dog. Some personal information may be blacked out. An attorney can also obtain these records, and the complete file can be subpoenaed once a lawsuit is filed.

Keep a copy of everything you submit, plus the report or case number and the name of the officer assigned.

Dangerous Dog Proceedings

California law (Food and Agricultural Code section 31601 and following) and local ordinances allow a dog to be declared potentially dangerous or vicious after bites or unprovoked attacks. The owner is entitled to a hearing, and the outcome can include secure confinement, leashing and muzzling, and insurance requirements. In Long Beach these cases are handled by Animal Care Services under the city’s municipal code.

If the agency asks you for a statement or to testify, that record can matter later: a prior complaint or designation helps show what the owner, a landlord or others knew about the dog.

What the Report Means for Your Injury Claim

Reporting a bite does not start a legal claim, and animal control does not recover compensation for you. A claim for your injuries is separate. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog’s owner is liable for a bite in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, whether or not the dog had bitten before.

The agency’s records help prove that claim. They identify the dog and its owner, confirm the date and place, and may show earlier bites or complaints. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance usually pays, and in some cases a landlord or HOA is also responsible.

• Deadline: generally two years from the bite to file a lawsuit. If a public agency may be responsible, a written claim is generally due within six months.
• Insurance adjusters: do not give a recorded statement or sign a release before getting advice.
• Photos: photograph your injuries now and as they heal.

Smith Trial Group has recovered $750,000, $500,000, $359,000 and $200,000 for clients in past dog bite cases. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Our Los Angeles line is (213) 985-4520. See also our Long Beach personal injury page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I report a dog bite to in Long Beach?

Long Beach Animal Care Services, at (562) 570-7387 or through the Animal Bite Report Form on its website. Long Beach does not use the Los Angeles County reporting system.

Does Long Beach Animal Care Services cover Signal Hill?

Yes. It provides animal control for Signal Hill and Cerritos as well as Long Beach.

Will the dog be put down if I report the bite?

Rarely. In most cases the dog is quarantined, usually at home, and released when the observation period ends. Stricter measures are generally reserved for dogs with rabies or a history of serious, unprovoked attacks, and the owner has a right to a hearing.

Does filing a report start my injury claim?

No. The report is a public health and animal control record. A claim for medical bills, lost income, scarring and pain is made separately, usually against the owner’s insurance.