How to Report a Dog Bite in San Diego County

In San Diego County, who takes a dog bite report depends on the city. San Diego Humane Society handles the City of San Diego and many other cities, and the County handles unincorporated areas. Here is who to call, 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

• San Diego Humane Society (Humane Law Enforcement): (619) 299-7012, press 1. It handles the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista. A dog-bite incident report form is on the San Diego Humane Society website.
• County of San Diego Department of Animal Services: (619) 236-2341, for unincorporated areas of the county.
• Coronado: Coronado Police Department, (619) 522-7350.
• National City: National City Police Department, (619) 336-4411.

Other cities have their own arrangements. If you are not sure which agency covers the address where you were bitten, either agency above can direct you. 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. The agency handling the report decides whether the dog is quarantined at home or at a shelter. 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 San Diego County, a case usually begins with a complaint and an officer’s investigation. A dog can be designated a dangerous dog or a public nuisance, and the owner may request a hearing to contest the designation.

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 San Diego line is (619) 313-4440. See also our San Diego personal injury page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I report a dog bite to in the City of San Diego?

San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement, at (619) 299-7012, press 1.

I was bitten in an unincorporated area such as Ramona or Lakeside. Who takes the report?

The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, at (619) 236-2341.

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.