Jefferson County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Golden Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten by an off-leash dog in Golden? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Off-Leash Attacks and the Law in Golden
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, is not limited to attacks on the owner's property. If you were lawfully in a public place in Golden, whether walking along Washington Avenue, crossing near West Colfax Avenue, or out on a trail off Colorado Highway 93, and a dog seriously injured you, the statute can still apply.
An off-leash dog can also support a straightforward negligence claim. If an owner let a dog run loose in a place where control was expected and that failure led to your injury, that is a separate path to holding the owner responsible. We look at both the statute and negligence when we evaluate a Golden case.
Where the attack happened matters, but it does not automatically decide the case one way or the other. We gather the facts about the specific location and the dog's history before we tell you what your claim looks like.
Dog Parks and Public Space Attacks
Dog parks are still public places under the law, but people who use them generally accept some level of normal contact between dogs. That does not mean an injury at a dog park is never a valid claim, and it does not mean every incident there results in automatic liability. What matters is what actually happened: was the dog aggressive beyond normal play, did the owner ignore warning signs, and was the injury serious.
Because these attacks happen away from a fixed address, proof depends on details that can disappear quickly. We want to know exactly where the dog was, whether it was on or off leash, who saw it happen, and what the scene looked like right after.
- Photos of the location, including any leash laws posted at the site
- Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the dog before or during the attack
- Photos of your injuries taken as soon as possible
- Any notes on whether the dog was leashed, tied, or running loose
- Records from any medical treatment you received
Handling Golden Off-Leash Cases
We handle these claims for people injured in Golden, whether the attack happened near Washington Avenue, along West Colfax Avenue, out toward Colorado Highway 93, or in nearby areas like Lakewood and Arvada. Golden cases often end up in Jefferson County Courts, and we know how these matters move through that system.
If you were treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood or elsewhere after an off-leash attack, we can help connect those records to your claim. We work out of our Denver, CO office and represent clients throughout Jefferson County.
What You Can Pursue
- Medical bills related to the attack
- Future medical care if your injury requires ongoing treatment
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or permanent disfigurement
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Golden — 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.
Golden Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I file a claim if the attack happened at a dog park?
It depends on the facts. Dog parks involve some accepted risk of normal dog-to-dog contact, but that does not shield an owner whose dog was aggressive or who ignored clear warning signs. We look closely at what happened before deciding if you have a claim.
Does it matter that the attack happened in a public place and not on the owner's property?
No. Colorado's dog bite law can apply as long as you were lawfully present where the attack occurred and the injury was serious. Public trails, sidewalks, and parks in Golden are all places where this can come up.
What if the dog was off leash when it attacked me?
An off-leash dog can support a negligence claim against the owner, separate from the dog bite statute. If the owner failed to control the dog in a place where control was expected, that failure can be part of your case.
What evidence helps most in these cases?
Witness names, photos of the scene, and information about whether the dog was leashed are all valuable. The location of the attack and any signage about leash rules can also matter.
Where will my case be handled if I live in Golden?
Golden matters connected to a dog attack typically involve Jefferson County Courts. We work with clients throughout Jefferson County, including Golden, Lakewood, and Arvada, from our Denver, CO office.
Discuss a Golden dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.