Boulder County · Fatal dog attacks
Boulder Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
A fatal dog attack in Boulder is a family tragedy and a legal matter. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
When a Boulder Dog Attack Causes Death
Losing a family member to a dog attack is devastating, and it raises legal questions on top of the grief. Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a fatal bite happens to someone lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property. That statute establishes a path to hold an owner accountable, but a death case does not stop there.
When a bite causes death, the claim moves into Colorado wrongful-death law to determine who can bring the case and what it covers. The dog-bite statute alone does not answer who may file. We look at the full picture, how the attack happened in or around Boulder, where it occurred, and how Colorado's wrongful-death framework applies to the family's loss.
We do not guess at who is entitled to file a wrongful-death claim in a given family situation. That depends on the relationships involved and how Colorado law defines who may bring the action. For that reason, our wrongful-death page addresses who may file and what losses a wrongful-death claim is meant to address, and we walk families in Boulder through that alongside the dog-bite claim itself.
Building the Record After a Fatal Attack
A fatal dog attack investigation in Boulder often involves animal-control records and police reports documenting what happened, where the dog was kept, and any history involving the animal or owner. These records matter because they help establish how the attack occurred and whether the owner had reason to know the dog posed a danger. We work to gather and preserve this record early, since some of it can be time-sensitive.
Medical and emergency response records also matter, including whatever care was provided at Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital or elsewhere before the loss occurred. Witness accounts from the scene, whether near Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, or elsewhere in the area, help fill in the sequence of events. We use all of this to build the clearest possible picture of what happened and why.
- Any animal-control or police report numbers or names of responding officers
- Photos of the scene, the dog, and the property, if safely available
- Contact information for any witnesses who saw the attack or its aftermath
- Medical and emergency response records tied to the incident
- Any prior complaints or knowledge of the dog's behavior before the attack
Handling These Cases Out of Boulder
Fatal dog attack cases involving Boulder residents can touch neighborhoods and roads throughout the area, from Arapahoe Avenue and Broadway to areas near U.S. Highway 36, and out toward Louisville and Lafayette. Records related to the attack may come from Boulder County agencies, and if a case proceeds through the court system, it may be handled at the Boulder County Justice Center.
We work with families regardless of where in the Boulder area the attack happened. Our office is based in Denver, but we meet with families connected to Boulder cases and coordinate with local records and resources as needed to build the claim.
What a Claim May Address
- Medical and emergency expenses connected to the fatal attack
- Funeral and burial costs
- Losses tied to the family's relationship with the person who died
- Financial support the family has lost
- Other losses recognized under Colorado wrongful-death law
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Boulder — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Boulder Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the Colorado dog-bite statute cover a fatal attack in Boulder?
It can apply when the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time of the attack. From there, because the attack resulted in death, the case also involves Colorado wrongful-death law to determine who may bring the claim and what it covers.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim after a fatal dog attack?
That is governed by wrongful-death law, not the dog-bite statute alone, and it depends on the family relationships involved. We address this in detail on our wrongful-death page and walk families through how it applies to their specific situation.
What records are important in a fatal dog attack case?
Animal-control and police records documenting the attack are often central, along with medical records from wherever care was provided. Witness statements from the scene also help establish what happened.
Do we need to know the exact filing deadline before contacting you?
No. Deadlines apply to these claims, but you do not need to know them before reaching out. We review the timeline as part of the free consultation.
Does it cost anything to talk to McCormick & Murphy about a fatal attack?
No. We offer a free consultation, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover for your family.
Discuss a Boulder dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.