Larimer County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Loveland Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Loveland dog-bite victims: 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, provided the person bitten was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property at the time. We use this statute in Loveland cases where a bite happened along Eisenhower Boulevard, near Taft Avenue, in a neighborhood yard, or anywhere the injured person had a legal right to be.
One of the most important features of this statute is that it does not require us to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone before. Unlike a traditional negligence claim, the statute's liability standard focuses on where the bite happened and the severity of the injury, not on the owner's prior knowledge of the dog's temperament.
The statute's liability covers economic damages. If a bite also caused scarring, pain, or other noneconomic losses, we may need to bring a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim to pursue those additional losses. We evaluate each Loveland case to determine whether the statute applies, whether a negligence claim is also appropriate, or both.
Serious Bodily Injury, Defenses, and What We Look At
The statute applies when the bite causes serious bodily injury or death, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. A bite that does not meet this threshold may still support a claim under ordinary negligence principles, so we look closely at medical records and injury details, including any treatment received at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, to assess how the injury is classified.
Colorado law also recognizes defenses and exclusions under this statute, including provocation and trespass, along with specific situations involving certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when a bite occurs during that work. We investigate the circumstances of the bite carefully, including where it happened and what led up to it, so we can address these issues directly rather than guess at how they apply to a Loveland case.
- Get medical treatment and keep records of the injury and diagnosis
- Photograph the wound, the location, and any visible property markers
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and contact information
- Identify any witnesses near Eisenhower Boulevard, Taft Avenue, or the incident site
- Avoid giving recorded statements to an insurer before speaking with us
Handling Dog Bite Claims Across Loveland and Larimer County
We handle dog-bite claims for people injured throughout Loveland, including along Eisenhower Boulevard, near Taft Avenue, and around U.S. Highway 34, as well as nearby communities like Fort Collins and Berthoud. Bites happen in many settings here, from residential yards to public walkways, and where the bite occurred matters directly to how the statute applies.
When a Loveland case requires litigation, it is typically filed in Larimer County, with proceedings handled at the Larimer County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we work with Loveland clients by phone, video, and in-person meetings as needed throughout the case.
Losses We Evaluate in Dog Bite Cases
- Medical treatment and follow-up care costs
- Lost income from time away from work
- 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 Loveland — 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.
Loveland Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before to win my case?
No. Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone previously. Liability can attach based on where the bite occurred and the severity of the injury.
Where does the bite need to happen for the statute to apply?
The statute applies when the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's private property. This means the location and your legal right to be there both matter to the claim.
What counts as a serious bodily injury under this law?
Serious bodily injury means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. If a bite does not meet this 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. For scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses, we typically need to pursue a separate negligence claim alongside any statutory claim.
What defenses might a dog owner raise in Loveland?
Common defenses include provocation and trespass, along with statutory exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We review the facts of each case to determine whether these defenses genuinely apply.
Discuss a Loveland dog bite
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