Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas counties · Non-bite dog attacks
Littleton Dog Attack Lawyers
Knocked down or chased by a dog in Littleton? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When It's Not a Bite, It's Still a Claim
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, covers bites. But dogs hurt people in other ways too: a knockdown on the sidewalk, a chase that sends someone into traffic or off a bike, or a dog jumping up and scratching or clawing. When teeth never broke skin, that strict liability statute generally does not apply, and the claim instead rests on ordinary negligence.
A negligence claim in a non-bite attack asks whether the owner controlled the dog and whether that control was reasonable under the circumstances. Was the dog on a leash. Was a gate or fence left open. Did the owner know the dog had a habit of lunging, jumping, or chasing people or other animals. These questions replace the strict liability framework that applies to bites.
We do not try to force a knockdown or a chase into the bite statute just because it involves a dog. We look at what actually happened and build the claim on the legal theory that fits the facts, whether that is negligence, premises liability, or a combination tied to how the dog got loose.
What We Look At
Non-bite attacks often leave less obvious physical evidence than a bite wound, so witness accounts and scene details matter more. We look at how the dog got loose, whether a leash or fence failed, whether the owner had prior notice the dog was prone to jumping or chasing, and what any witnesses saw about control of the animal at the time.
Injuries from a knockdown, a fall while running from a dog, or a hard jump can include broken bones, head impact, torn ligaments, and a lasting fear of dogs. These are possible harms, not guaranteed outcomes, and the extent of injury depends on the facts of each case. Medical records documenting the mechanism of injury, such as a fall or collision tied to the dog's behavior, help connect the harm to the owner's lack of control.
- Get the owner's name, address, and contact information if possible
- Note whether the dog was on a leash, in a yard, or loose
- Identify anyone who saw the dog get loose or chase you
- Take photos of the scene, any fence or gate involved, and your injuries
- Seek medical care at AdventHealth Littleton or another provider and describe how the injury happened
Handling Non-Bite Attack Claims Around Littleton
We handle these claims for people hurt in Littleton neighborhoods including Santa Fe Drive, Bowles Avenue, South Broadway, Englewood, and Highlands Ranch. Dogs get loose in yards, parks, and along walking paths in all of these areas, and a chase or knockdown can happen just as easily as a bite. We take the same careful approach to sorting out fault regardless of where in the area it happened.
Depending on where the attack occurred, a case may be filed in the district court for the county where the injury occurred, which can mean Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Douglas County given how the Littleton area spans those counties. We sort out the right venue as part of building the claim.
What These Claims May Cover
- Medical treatment for fractures, sprains, or head injury from a fall
- Costs tied to torn ligaments or other orthopedic injuries
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering, including ongoing fear of dogs
- Other out-of-pocket costs tied to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Littleton — 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.
Littleton Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
The dog never bit me, just knocked me down. Do I have a claim?
Possibly, but it would generally be a negligence claim rather than a claim under the dog bite statute, since that statute applies to bites. We would look at whether the owner failed to control the dog and whether that failure caused your fall.
What if the dog chased me and I fell while running away?
That can still support a negligence claim if the owner let the dog run loose or failed to keep it under control. We would look at how the dog got loose and whether the owner had reason to know it might chase people.
The dog scratched me but didn't break the skin. Which claim applies?
If teeth never broke the skin, the bite statute may not apply, and the claim would likely proceed as negligence. We sort through the specific facts to determine which legal theory fits.
What if I'm not sure whether the dog's teeth broke my skin?
That is worth sorting out early, since it affects which legal framework applies. We review the injury and medical records to determine whether the bite statute or a negligence theory fits the facts.
Do you handle these cases in Littleton?
Yes. We work with people hurt by dogs throughout the Littleton area, including in Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas counties, and we offer a free consultation to review what happened.
Discuss a Littleton dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.