El Paso County · Fatal dog attacks
Fountain Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
A fatal dog attack in Fountain is a family tragedy and a legal claim. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
When a dog bite causes death, Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply if the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property at the time of the attack. That statute establishes when a dog owner can be held responsible for the injuries the animal caused.
But a death case does not stop at the dog-bite statute. Who has the right to bring a claim after a fatal attack is controlled by Colorado's wrongful-death law, not by the dog-bite statute alone. We do not guess at who qualifies to file, and we would rather walk a Fountain family through the actual rules than make assumptions on a phone call.
These two areas of law work together in a fatal dog attack case. The dog-bite statute can establish that the owner is responsible for the attack, and wrongful-death law determines who may bring the claim and what losses it can address. We handle both sides of that analysis for families in Fountain.
Evidence in a Fatal Attack Case
A death investigation after a dog attack generates more records than a typical bite case. There are often animal-control records and police reports documenting what happened, who owned the dog, and whether the animal had a prior history. We gather these records early, before they are lost or destroyed.
Medical records also matter, even in a fatal case. Records from the treatment the person received, including care connected to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, can help establish the cause and extent of the injuries. Witness accounts from wherever the attack happened, whether near Mesa Ridge Parkway, Fountain Mesa Road, or elsewhere in Fountain, are also important and should be collected while memories are fresh.
- Any police or animal-control reports related to the attack
- Photos or video from the scene, if available
- Contact information for witnesses
- Medical and hospital records related to the treatment given
- Information about the dog and its owner, including any prior incidents
Handling Fatal Dog Attack Claims Near Fountain
Fountain sits along U.S. Highway 85 and near the Security-Widefield area, and a fatal dog attack here can draw in records and witnesses from across that stretch of El Paso County. A death case involving a Fountain resident may be filed in El Paso County Combined Courts, and we build these claims with attention to how the local court handles wrongful-death matters connected to a dog-bite statute claim.
We meet with grieving families where it works for them, whether that is a call, a visit to our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, or a meeting closer to Fountain. For more on who can bring a claim and what losses a wrongful-death case can address, we encourage families to review our wrongful-death page, which explains that area of law in more depth.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim Connected to a Dog Attack May Address
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the financial support the person would have provided
- Loss of care, companionship, and guidance
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- 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 Fountain — 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.
Fountain Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog-bite statute apply if the attack caused a death?
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death, as long as the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property. That statute helps establish the owner's responsibility for the attack itself.
Who can file a claim after a fatal dog attack in Fountain?
That question is controlled by Colorado's wrongful-death law, not by the dog-bite statute alone. We review the family's specific situation and explain the applicable rules rather than assuming who qualifies.
What records are important in a fatal dog attack case?
Animal-control and police records documenting the attack are often central to these cases, along with medical records and witness statements. We work to gather these records early so they are preserved.
Where would a fatal dog attack claim from Fountain be filed?
A claim connected to a Fountain resident may be filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. We handle the filing and procedural steps as part of representing the family.
Does the firm handle both the dog-bite claim and the wrongful-death claim?
Yes. We look at the dog-bite statute to establish the owner's responsibility and at wrongful-death law to determine who may bring the claim and what losses it addresses. Our wrongful-death page has more detail on that second part.
Discuss a Fountain dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.