El Paso County · Non-bite dog attacks
Fort Carson Dog Attack Lawyers
A dog knocked you down or chased you in Fort Carson? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Dog Attack Is Not a Bite
Not every dog attack involves teeth breaking the skin. A dog can knock someone off a bike near Nelson Boulevard, chase a runner along U.S. Highway 85, or slam into someone hard enough to cause a fall without ever biting. Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, applies to bites. A knockdown, chase, or scratch that does not break skin generally falls outside that statute and is handled as an ordinary negligence claim instead.
That distinction matters for how we build the case, not whether you have one. In a negligence claim, we look at whether the owner controlled the dog, whether the dog was off leash or loose from a yard, and whether the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the animal from harming someone. These attacks can happen anywhere from a driveway in Fountain to a sidewalk in Security-Widefield or a park in Colorado Springs.
If the dog's teeth did break the skin during the same incident, the bite statute may apply alongside a negligence theory. We sort out which facts point to a bite claim and which point to a negligence claim rather than trying to force every incident into one box. Getting that framing right early affects what we need to prove and how we present the case.
Building a Negligence Case After a Non-Bite Attack
Because these claims turn on the owner's conduct rather than automatic liability, evidence about control and warning matters more here than in a straightforward bite case. We look at whether the dog had a history of chasing people or vehicles, whether it was supposed to be leashed or fenced, and whether the owner knew the dog could act this way. Witness accounts of the chase or knockdown, photos of the scene, and any video from a doorbell camera or nearby business can help establish what happened.
Medical records tie the physical harm to the incident. A fall caused by a dog can lead to a broken bone, a head injury from hitting pavement, or a torn ligament, and records from Evans Army Community Hospital or UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central document the treatment. We gather these details along with information about the dog's owner and any prior complaints to build the negligence case.
- Photos of the scene, any injuries, and the dog if possible
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw the chase or knockdown
- Medical records from any treatment for the fall or impact
- Information about the dog and its owner, including address if known
- Notes on whether the dog was leashed, fenced, or under any control at the time
Handling These Claims in the Fort Carson Area
Fort Carson sits near a mix of residential streets, open areas, and roads like U.S. Highway 85 where dogs sometimes get loose and chase cyclists, runners, or pedestrians. These incidents happen in Fountain, Security-Widefield, and throughout Colorado Springs as well. Because a negligence claim depends heavily on local facts, like whether a fence was broken or a dog had gotten loose before, we take time to understand where and how the attack happened.
If a case needs to be filed, it would generally go through El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, and we meet with clients from Fort Carson and the surrounding area to go over what happened and what the claim looks like.
Possible Losses After a Non-Bite Dog Attack
- Medical bills for treating a broken bone, head injury, or torn ligament
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Pain and physical limitation during recovery
- Ongoing fear or anxiety around dogs after the attack
- Costs of any physical therapy or follow-up care
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Carson — 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.
Fort Carson Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
Can I still make a claim if the dog never bit me?
Yes. If a dog knocked you down, chased you, or otherwise caused injury without biting, you may have a negligence claim against the owner. This works differently from the bite statute but can still lead to compensation if the owner failed to control the dog.
What do I need to prove in a non-bite dog attack case?
We generally need to show the owner failed to use reasonable care, such as letting the dog run loose or ignoring a known tendency to chase people. Evidence about the dog's behavior history and the circumstances of the attack helps support this.
What if the dog scratched me but didn't technically bite?
A scratch without a bite is usually treated as a negligence issue rather than falling under the bite statute. We look closely at exactly what happened to determine which legal theory fits the facts.
I fell and broke a bone after a dog charged at me. Is that covered?
Injuries from a fall caused by a dog, including broken bones or head injuries, can be the basis of a negligence claim even without a bite. We would look at whether the owner's failure to control the dog led to your fall.
What if the dog bit me and also knocked me down?
When teeth break the skin, the bite statute may apply to that part of the injury, while the knockdown itself may support a separate negligence claim. We sort through the facts to determine how each part of the incident should be handled.
Discuss a Fort Carson dog bite
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