Can I Get Compensation If I Was Injured by an Animal?

 Posted on January 22, 2026 in Premises Liability

When most people think about animal attacks, they picture dog bites. However, our Riverside County personal injury attorney knows that injuries from smaller pets like rabbits, cats, rats, parrots, reptiles, and even "house pigs" can be just as serious. If someone else's pet has hurt you in 2026, you may be wondering whether you can get compensation for your medical bills, pain, and maybe even lost wages from missing work.

Good news: California law does allow injury victims to seek compensation when someone else's animal causes harm, even if that animal is not a cat or dog. Understanding your legal rights can help you decide whether to pursue a personal injury claim.

What Types of Small Animals Can Cause Compensable Injuries?

Many households keep pets beyond the traditional dog or cat. These animals can cause unexpected injuries through bites, scratches, and disease transmission. Common small pets that may cause injury include rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, parrots and other birds, ferrets, reptiles like snakes and lizards, turtles, house pigs, and chickens and other poultry.

Injuries from these animals can range from minor scratches to serious wounds that require medical treatment. Reptiles like iguanas have sharp claws and strong jaws. Even small rodents can create deep puncture wounds and transmit diseases through their bites. The law recognizes that these injuries are real and can have serious consequences for victims.

Can I Get Compensation if I Contract a Disease from Someone's Pet in California?

Yes. One of the more serious risks from small animals is disease transmission. Many exotic and small pets carry bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can make humans very sick. Salmonella infections from pet turtles and other reptiles are common and can cause severe sickness, especially in children, elderly people, and others with weak immune systems.

Many diseases can be contracted from small household animals, including:

• Rat bite fever

• Psittacosis (parrot fever) from birds

• Campylobacter from poultry or rabbits

• Leptospirosis from small mammals

• Fungal infections from rodents or birds

If you get sick after exposure to someone else's animal, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical treatment, lost work time, and other damages. The key is establishing that the pet owner knew or should have known about the disease risk and did not take proper precautions.

What Do I Need to Prove to Get Compensation for an Animal Injury in California?

You typically need to prove one of two things:

Negligence from the Owner

This means they did not do a good enough job controlling or caring for their pet. For example, if someone keeps an aggressive animal in a badly secured cage where it could escape and attack visitors, that could be negligence. Likewise, if you visit a home where you are not warned about an animal’s presence and you are injured as a result, that could be negligence as well. 

Strict Liability Rules

Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners are "strictly liable" for bites in most situations. However, this statute only applies to dogs. For other animals, California courts have recognized strict liability when the owner knows the animal has dangerous tendencies. If an owner knows a pet has a history of biting people but does not warn visitors, they may be held liable for injuries.

You will also need to show that you suffered actual damages like medical bills, lost income if you missed work, pain and suffering, and scarring or permanent injuries. Keeping careful records of your medical treatment and other expenses is important for building a strong claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Small Animal Injury in California?

You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait longer than two years, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to compensation.

There are some exceptions to this rule, but not many. It is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights and make sure you do not miss any important deadlines.

Call a Temecula, CA Animal Attack Injury Attorney Today

If you were injured or sickened by someone's animal or pet, you deserve fair compensation for your losses. At Maineri Law Firm, our Riverside County personal injury lawyer has 25 years of legal experience helping injury victims throughout Southern California. 

We understand the unique challenges of animal injury cases and can help you build the strongest possible claim. Contact us at 951-698-4200 today for a free consult about your case. On parle francais. Hablamos español. Noi parliamo italiano.