El Paso County · Non-bite dog attacks
Briargate Dog Attack Lawyers
A dog knocked you down or chased you in Briargate? Free consultation, and no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When It's Not a Bite, It's Still a Claim
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, covers bites specifically. If a dog knocked you down, chased you into traffic, or scratched you without breaking skin with its teeth, that injury generally falls under ordinary negligence law instead of the strict liability standard the bite statute provides.
That difference matters for how we build your case. A negligence claim requires us to show the owner failed to use reasonable care, whether that meant leaving a dog off-leash near Briargate Parkway, letting a gate go unlatched near Research Parkway, or ignoring a known habit of the dog charging visitors or joggers along North Gate Boulevard.
We do not try to force a knockdown or chase into the bite statute just because it might be simpler. We look at what actually happened and build the claim on the right legal footing, whether that is negligence, premises liability, or a combination, depending on where and how the attack occurred.
Proving Control and Care Broke Down
In a non-bite attack case, the central questions are whether the dog was under control, whether it was loose when it should not have been, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent the incident. We look at whether a leash law applied, whether a fence or gate failed, and whether the owner knew the dog tended to chase or jump on people.
Injuries from these attacks can be significant even without a bite: broken bones from a fall, head injuries from hitting pavement or a curb, torn ligaments from twisting away, and lasting fear around dogs afterward. If you were treated at UCHealth Memorial Hospital North or elsewhere, those medical records help connect the fall or impact to the dog's conduct and support the negligence claim we are building.
- Photos of the scene, any fencing or gate involved, and your visible injuries
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw the dog loose or chasing you
- Medical records from any evaluation or treatment you received
- Information on the dog's owner, including address and any leash or containment used
- Notes on prior incidents where the dog chased, jumped on, or knocked down others
Handling Briargate Attack Claims
Briargate covers a lot of ground, from the corridor along I-25 to neighborhoods near Monument, and dogs get loose in yards, parks, and open spaces throughout the area. When a chase or knockdown happens near Briargate Parkway or Research Parkway, we look closely at where the dog came from and whether the owner had a reasonable way to keep it contained.
These cases are generally filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. We meet with clients from Briargate and the surrounding area at our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, and we handle the fact-finding needed to show carelessness even when there was no bite.
Losses We Help Recover
- Medical treatment for fractures, head injuries, or torn ligaments from a fall
- Costs tied to follow-up care, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Pain and suffering from the physical injury itself
- Emotional distress, including fear of dogs following the attack
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Briargate — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Briargate Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
If the dog never bit me, do I still have a claim?
Yes. A knockdown, chase, or scratch that did not involve teeth breaking skin can still support a negligence claim against the owner. We look at whether the owner failed to control the dog or keep it properly contained.
What do I need to prove in a non-bite dog attack case?
We generally need to show the dog was not under reasonable control, that the owner knew or should have known of the risk, and that this failure caused your injury. Witness accounts, photos, and information about the dog's history all help build that picture.
I broke a bone falling after a dog charged me. Is that a serious injury for this type of claim?
It can be. Fractures, head injuries, and torn ligaments from a fall are the kinds of harms we look at closely in non-bite attack cases, along with any lasting fear of dogs that followed the incident.
What if the dog scratched me but didn't technically bite me?
We evaluate the specific facts to determine whether the bite statute or a negligence theory applies. Either way, we sort out which framework fits your situation rather than forcing it into one category.
Where would my case be handled if I was attacked in Briargate?
Non-bite dog attack claims in this area are generally handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. We meet with clients at our Colorado Springs office to go over the details of what happened.
Discuss a Briargate dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.