Boulder and Weld counties · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Longmont Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Attacked by an off-leash dog in Longmont? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Your Legal Options After an Off-Leash Attack
A dog bite that happens on a trail, in a park, or along a Longmont sidewalk is not automatically weaker than one that happens on private property. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, a person who is lawfully in a public place when a dog bites them and suffers a serious injury can still have a strong claim against the owner. Being outdoors or away from the owner's home does not remove the protection this law offers.
Beyond that statute, an owner who lets a dog run off-leash in an area where leashes are expected can also face a straightforward negligence claim. Letting a dog roam unrestrained near Hover Street, Ken Pratt Boulevard, or along Colorado Highway 119 creates a foreseeable risk to other people and animals, and an owner who ignores that risk can be held responsible for what happens next.
Dog parks raise a different question. People who bring their dogs to a designated dog park generally accept some normal contact and rough play between dogs. That does not mean every injury at a dog park is automatically compensable, but it also does not mean an injury there can never support a claim. If an owner ignored posted rules, ignored clear warning signs of aggression, or failed to control a dog that had already shown a problem, a claim can still hold up. We look closely at what happened before we tell you where your case stands.
What Helps Prove an Off-Leash Case
Location matters in these cases more than in a typical home-property bite. We want to know exactly where the attack happened, whether it was a marked trail, a street, a dog park, or open space, and whether leash rules applied there. Photos of the scene, including any posted signage, help establish what the owner should have known or done.
Witnesses are often the strongest piece of evidence in a public-place attack, since bystanders may have seen the dog running loose, seen the owner fail to intervene, or seen prior aggressive behavior. Get names and contact information for anyone who saw the dog before or during the attack. We also gather your medical records, injury photos, and any account of whether the dog was leashed at the moment it bit you.
- Note the exact location, including trail name, park, or street
- Get names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the attack
- Photograph the scene, any signage, and your injuries
- Write down whether the dog was on or off leash and who was with it
- Seek medical care and keep records of your treatment
Handling Off-Leash Claims in Longmont
Longmont attacks that happen away from home can touch either Boulder County or Weld County depending on where in the city the incident occurred, since Longmont sits across both. That can mean your case is filed at the Boulder County Justice Center or at Weld County Combined Courts. We sort out the right venue and handle that filing question for you.
If your injuries were treated at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or another nearby facility, we help gather those records as part of building your case. We also work with clients who were attacked near Erie or Boulder while traveling through the Longmont area, since these off-leash incidents are not always confined to one town.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical bills for treatment and follow-up care
- Scarring and disfigurement from bite wounds
- Lost income while you recover
- Pain and suffering
- Costs of future medical treatment if needed
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I file a claim if I was bitten on a public trail in Longmont?
Yes. Being in a public place does not disqualify you from a claim under Colorado's dog bite statute, as long as you were lawfully there and suffered a serious injury. We also look at whether the owner's failure to leash the dog supports a separate negligence claim.
Does going to a dog park mean I gave up my right to sue?
Not automatically. People who visit a dog park accept some normal roughhousing between dogs, but that does not excuse an owner who ignored warning signs of aggression or violated posted rules. We evaluate the specific circumstances before deciding how strong the claim is.
What if I don't know who owns the dog that bit me?
Witness information becomes very important in that situation. We can also help track down ownership through animal control records or other reports made after the incident.
Which court would handle my Longmont dog bite case?
Since Longmont spans both Boulder and Weld counties, your case could be filed at the Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts depending on exactly where the attack happened. We determine the correct venue as part of preparing your claim.
What should I do right after an off-leash attack?
Get medical attention, note exactly where the attack occurred, and collect contact information from any witnesses. Photograph the scene and your injuries as soon as you're able, since that evidence can fade quickly in a public setting.
Discuss a Longmont dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.