Weld County · Landlord liability
Greeley Landlord Dog Bite Lawyers
Bitten by a dog on rental or HOA property in Greeley? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Greeley Landlord or HOA Shares Responsibility
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, is written to hold the dog's owner accountable. It does not make a landlord strictly liable just because the attack happened on property they own or manage.
That said, a landlord, property manager, or HOA in Greeley can face a separate negligence claim in certain situations. If the facts show they knew a tenant's dog was dangerous and did nothing about it, or they had control over a common area like a shared yard, hallway, or parking lot where the attack occurred, that is a different question from the statute.
These cases require us to look closely at who controlled the space where the bite happened and what the landlord or HOA knew beforehand. A dog owner's liability and a landlord's potential negligence are separate legal questions, and we evaluate each one on its own facts.
Building the Case Against Multiple Parties
When a landlord or HOA may share fault, we look for records showing prior complaints about the dog, maintenance requests, emails or texts between the tenant and property manager, and any lease or HOA rules addressing pets. We also examine who had authority over the area where the attack took place, whether that was a shared courtyard near 47th Avenue, a common walkway in an apartment complex off 10th Street, or a fenced common area in a Windsor or Evans rental community.
Insurance coverage in these cases can involve more than one policy. The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is usually the first place we look, but a landlord's property or liability policy may also come into play depending on the facts. We do not assume every landlord policy covers a dog bite claim, so we review the actual policy language and the circumstances of the attack before drawing conclusions.
- Lease or HOA documents, including any pet or breed rules
- Any prior complaints you or neighbors made about the dog
- Photos of the location where the attack happened
- Contact information for the property manager or HOA
- Records from Banner North Colorado Medical Center or any treating provider
Handling Landlord Liability Claims in Weld County
Greeley has a mix of apartment complexes, rental homes, and HOA communities stretching from the 10th Street corridor out toward U.S. Highway 34, plus neighboring areas like Evans and Windsor. Attacks in shared spaces, whether a common backyard, a leasing office parking lot, or an HOA-maintained walkway, raise questions about who was responsible for controlling the dog and the property.
When a claim against a landlord or HOA needs to go to court, we file in Weld County Combined Courts. We handle the investigation and negotiation from our Denver office while working directly with clients throughout Greeley and the surrounding area.
What These Claims May Cover
- Medical treatment for bite injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if needed
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 Landlord liability FAQ
Is my Greeley landlord automatically responsible if a tenant's dog bit me?
No. The Colorado dog bite statute targets the dog's owner, not the landlord. A landlord may only face a separate negligence claim if the facts show they knew about a dangerous dog and failed to act, or they controlled the area where the attack happened.
What if the attack happened in a common area of my apartment complex?
That can matter. If the landlord or property manager controlled the common area, such as a shared yard or hallway, that control is part of what we examine when evaluating a negligence claim against them.
Does a no-pit-bull clause in my lease mean the landlord is liable?
Not by itself. A breed restriction can show the landlord had rules or awareness about dogs on the property, which may support a notice argument, but it does not automatically prove liability on its own.
Will the landlord's insurance pay for my injuries?
It depends on the facts. The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is usually the first source of coverage, and a landlord's property policy may be a separate question depending on what happened and where.
Where would a landlord liability lawsuit be filed if I'm in Greeley?
Cases arising in Greeley are typically filed in Weld County Combined Courts. We can walk you through what that process looks like during a free consultation.
Discuss a Greeley dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.