El Paso County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Manitou Springs Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten by an off-leash dog in Manitou Springs? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When an Off-Leash Attack Supports a Claim
Manitou Springs draws people to Manitou Avenue, Ruxton Avenue, and the trails and open spaces around them, and a lot of dogs go along too. When a dog is off leash in one of these public areas and it bites someone who has a legal right to be there, that can still meet the standard under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, so long as the injury is serious. The location of the attack does not by itself defeat a claim.
Even outside that statute, an off-leash dog can support a straightforward negligence claim. An owner who lets a dog run loose in a busy area, or who loses control of it near foot or bike traffic on Manitou Avenue or along U.S. Highway 24, may be found to have acted carelessly if that dog then hurts someone. We look at how the dog got loose and what the owner did or failed to do.
We do not assume every off-leash incident is a slam-dunk, and we do not assume every case is weak just because it happened in public. Each situation depends on where the dog was, how it behaved, and what the owner knew or should have known.
What Matters in a Dog Park or Trail Case
Dog parks and shared trails are a special situation. People who bring their dogs to a dog park generally accept that dogs will interact and that some contact is part of the deal. That does not mean a dog park injury can never lead to a claim, and it does not mean every scuffle or bite there is automatic liability either. What matters is whether the dog's behavior and the owner's response went beyond what a reasonable person would expect and accept in that setting.
Because these incidents happen in public and often move quickly, evidence can disappear fast. We want to know exactly where the dog was standing or running, whether it was on or off leash at the moment of the bite, and who saw it happen. Witness names and contact information, along with photos of the scene, the dog, and any visible injury, help us reconstruct what happened before memories fade or details get fuzzy.
- Get medical attention for the bite
- Write down exactly where on the path, trail, or park the attack happened
- Note whether the dog was on a leash and get the owner's contact information
- Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the attack
- Take photos of the scene, the dog, and your injuries
Handling Manitou Springs Off-Leash Cases
Manitou Springs sits close to Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City, and many of our clients end up seeking care at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central after a serious bite. We work with clients throughout this area, whether the attack happened on a downtown sidewalk near Manitou Avenue, on the incline trails near Ruxton Avenue, or along a stretch of U.S. Highway 24.
If a claim needs to go to court, cases from Manitou Springs are handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, a short trip from Manitou Springs, and we meet with clients from this area regularly.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills for treatment of the bite
- Future medical care, including scar treatment or reconstructive work
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Manitou Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Manitou Springs Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I still file a claim if I was bitten in a public park?
Yes. Being in a public place does not prevent a claim, as long as you had a legal right to be there and the injury is serious. We look at the specific circumstances of the attack, not just the location.
Does going to a dog park mean I accepted the risk of any injury?
Not automatically. People who visit dog parks accept some level of normal contact between dogs, but that does not cover every injury that happens there. Whether a claim exists depends on the dog's behavior and how the owner responded.
What if the dog was off leash when it bit me?
An off-leash dog can support a negligence claim in addition to any statutory claim. We look at whether the owner acted carelessly by letting the dog run loose in that setting.
What evidence should I gather right after an off-leash attack?
Try to note exactly where the attack happened, whether the dog was leashed, and get names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Photos of the scene, the dog, and your injuries are also very useful.
Where would my case be handled if it doesn't settle?
Claims arising in Manitou Springs are generally handled in El Paso County Combined Courts. We can walk you through what that process looks like during a free consultation.
Discuss a Manitou Springs dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.