Weld County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Greeley Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Greeley dog-bite claims under Colorado's statute. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Owner Liability Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the bite happened near 10th Street, along 47th Avenue, or anywhere else in Greeley or Weld County. The law does not require the owner to have known the dog was dangerous or had bitten before.
The statute's liability covers economic damages tied to the bite. If the injury left scarring, caused ongoing pain, or produced other noneconomic harm, recovering for those losses generally requires a separate negligence claim built on the facts of the attack.
There are defenses and exclusions in the statute. Provocation and trespass can limit or bar a claim, and the law carves out certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite happens during that work. We look at the facts of each Greeley case to see which of these apply, without assuming exceptions the statute doesn't list.
What Matters in a Greeley Dog Bite Case
Whether an injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury (a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ) shapes how we build the claim. Medical records from treatment, including care at Banner North Colorado Medical Center, help establish the extent and severity of the injury.
We also look at where the bite happened. Being lawfully on the property or in a public space, whether near U.S. Highway 34, in Evans, Windsor, or elsewhere in Weld County, is part of what the statute requires. Witness accounts, photos of the scene, and animal control records help confirm the location and circumstances of the attack.
- Get medical treatment and keep all records describing the injury
- Photograph wounds, scarring, and the location of the bite
- Identify the dog's owner and any witnesses at the scene
- Report the bite to local animal control
- Avoid recorded statements to an insurer before speaking with us
Handling Dog Bite Claims in Weld County
Dog bite cases arising in Greeley and the surrounding area, including Evans and Windsor, often proceed through Weld County Combined Courts. We handle the filing and procedural steps that come with pursuing a claim in this court.
Our office is based in Denver, and we work with clients throughout Weld County by phone, video, and in-person meetings as needed. Distance from our office does not change how closely we work on a Greeley case.
Damages We Evaluate
- Medical expenses connected to the bite
- Lost income during recovery
- Scarring and disfigurement, where a negligence claim applies
- Pain and suffering, where a negligence claim applies
- Other economic losses tied directly to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Greeley — 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.
Greeley Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, an owner can be liable for a bite causing serious bodily injury without proof the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone before. This is different from many older negligence-based dog bite rules.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part or organ. If a bite doesn't meet that standard, a negligence claim may still be available.
Can I recover for scarring or pain and suffering under this statute?
The statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside or instead of the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when I was bitten?
The statute can apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time of the bite. Trespassing, however, is an exclusion that can limit or bar a claim.
Are there exceptions for working dogs or dog handlers?
Yes. The statute lists exclusions for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We review the specific facts of a Greeley case to see whether any listed exclusion applies.
Discuss a Greeley dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.