El Paso County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Briargate Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten by an off-leash dog in Briargate? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Off-Leash Attacks and the Law
An attack does not have to happen in someone's yard to give rise to a claim. If you were lawfully on a public path, in a park, or anywhere along Briargate Parkway or Research Parkway and a dog seriously injured you, that can meet the requirements of C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, Colorado's dog bite statute, so long as you were lawfully present and the injury was serious.
Beyond the statute, an owner who lets a dog run off leash in areas where leashes are expected may also be liable under ordinary negligence principles. Letting a dog roam unrestrained near foot traffic, cyclists, or other dogs can be evidence that the owner failed to use reasonable care, and that failure can support a claim separate from the statutory bite claim.
Dog parks raise a different question. People who bring their dogs to a dog park accept a degree of normal dog-to-dog contact and rough play. That does not mean a dog park injury is automatically without a claim, and it does not mean every incident there is automatic liability either. What matters is whether the specific dog's conduct, the owner's control over it, and the circumstances of the incident went beyond what a person entering the park should reasonably expect.
Proving What Happened Off Leash
Location matters in these cases. We want to know exactly where the attack happened, whether it was along a trail, near I-25, on Briargate Parkway, in a neighborhood off North Gate Boulevard, or inside a fenced dog park, and whether the dog was leashed or under any physical control at the time.
Witnesses are often the difference in an off-leash case. Other park users, dog walkers, cyclists, or neighbors nearby may have seen the dog before the attack, seen whether it was restrained, or heard the owner's response afterward. Photos of the scene, the dog, and any posted leash signage, along with the names and contact information of anyone who saw what happened, all help support the claim.
- Note the exact location: trail, park, or roadway near the attack
- Write down whether the dog was leashed or off leash
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Take photos of the scene, the dog, and your injuries
- Get medical care and keep records of your treatment
Briargate and Nearby Areas
We work with people bitten or attacked throughout Briargate, including along Briargate Parkway, Research Parkway, North Gate Boulevard, and near I-25, as well as residents from Monument who spend time in this part of Colorado Springs. If your injury required care at UCHealth Memorial Hospital North, we can help you gather those records as part of your claim.
Claims arising from incidents in this area are typically handled through El Paso County Combined Courts. We're familiar with how these cases move through that court and what local insurers expect to see in an off-leash or dog-park claim.
What You May Recover
- Medical bills for treatment of bite wounds or injuries
- Future medical care, including scar treatment or reconstructive surgery
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
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 Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I still have a claim if the attack happened in a public park instead of someone's home?
Yes. Colorado's dog bite statute can apply as long as you were lawfully in that public place and suffered a serious injury. The location of the attack does not by itself defeat a claim.
Does going to a dog park mean I gave up my right to sue if a dog attacks me?
No. People at dog parks accept some normal contact between dogs, but that does not mean every injury there is without recourse. Whether you have a claim depends on the specific dog's behavior and the surrounding circumstances.
What if the dog was off leash in a place where leashes were required?
An off-leash dog in an area where leashes are expected can support a negligence claim against the owner, separate from the statutory bite claim. Evidence that the dog was unrestrained helps show the owner did not use reasonable care.
What evidence should I gather right after an off-leash attack?
Try to note exactly where it happened, whether the dog was leashed, and get contact information for any witnesses. Photos of the scene, the dog, and your injuries are also valuable.
Do I need to know the dog owner's identity to bring a claim?
Identifying the owner is an important step, and witnesses or scene details often help us do that. Contact us for a free consultation so we can talk through what you already know and how to move forward.
Discuss a Briargate dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.