The doorbell rings. A group of kids shouts “Trick or treat!” Before you can reach for the candy, your dog is at the door, too. It’s a familiar scene for many Burbank families. But a dog who normally welcomes visitors may react differently to a child in a mask reaching toward him on a noisy doorstep.
Give Your Dog the Night Off From Greeting Visitors
Your dog may be great with your family and happy to meet guests. Halloween is still a different setup: doorbells, masks, excited kids, and a door that keeps opening.
As a dog bite attorney here in Burbank, my advice starts with one simple step: settle your dog somewhere comfortable away from the front door before the first trick-or-treaters arrive.
If you’re having people over, let them know where the dog is so that the door stays closed. You can enjoy handing out candy without managing a dog introduction every few minutes.
Talk to the Kids Before You Head Out
Most parents already have a Halloween checklist. Stay together. Watch for cars. Say thank you.
I’d add one more: ask before petting a dog, and wait for the owner to say it’s okay.
Remind children not to reach through a fence or doorway to pet a dog, even one they recognize. If a dog is at the entrance, give the owner time to get things settled before approaching.
These are small things, but they’re easy to forget when there’s candy involved.
What if a Dog Bites Someone during Halloween?
Take care of the person first. Move away from the dog and get medical advice promptly, even if the bite looks minor.
Then get the owner’s name and contact information, and ask about the dog’s vaccination records. Take pictures of the injury and write down what happened while it’s fresh. If someone saw it, get their contact information, too.
You don’t have to sort out every legal or insurance question that evening. Focus on getting care and keeping a clear record.
“But My Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone”
That matters to an owner trying to understand what happened. Legally, though, it doesn’t necessarily settle the question.
California generally holds dog owners responsible for bite injuries even when the dog has never bitten before. The law applies to bites in public places and when someone is lawfully on private property, with exceptions.
For trick-or-treating, the details of the visit matter. A bite happening at someone’s home doesn’t automatically mean there is, or isn’t, a claim.
Before You Put Out the Candy
Give your dog a quiet spot. Remind the kids to ask before approaching pets. Make sure everyone in the house knows the plan.
That’s a few minutes of preparation, and then you can get back to enjoying the evening.
Have a happy Halloween, Burbank!
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti represents people injured in serious car, truck, delivery vehicle, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents throughout Burbank and greater Los Angeles. The firm offers free consultations at (626) 793-8607 or facchettilaw.com/contact.
About Adrianos Facchetti. Adrianos Facchetti is a Burbank personal injury attorney, the founder of the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, and a Transportation Commissioner for the City of Burbank.
This article provides general information, not legal advice.
