El Paso County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Monument Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten by an off-leash dog in Monument? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Off-Leash Attacks and Colorado Law
A dog does not have to be on its owner's property for a bite claim to hold up. If you were lawfully on a public path, sidewalk, or trail in Monument and suffered a serious injury, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 can still apply, even though the attack happened away from the dog's home.
Beyond that statute, an owner who let a dog run loose in a public area can also face a negligence claim. Letting a dog off leash in a place where it could reach other people or animals is the kind of conduct that supports a case built on carelessness, separate from the strict liability statute.
Dog parks add a wrinkle. People who bring their dogs there generally accept some rough play and normal contact between dogs. That does not mean every scrape at a dog park is off the table, and it does not mean every injury there is automatically a winning claim. What matters is whether the owner's conduct, and the dog's behavior, went beyond what a person reasonably accepts by being there.
What We Look For After a Public-Place Attack
Location matters. We want to know exactly where the attack happened, whether it was a sidewalk, a trail near Colorado Highway 105, a stretch along Second Street, or inside a fenced dog park. We also want to know whether the dog was on a leash, off a leash, or had slipped a leash or collar just before the attack.
Witnesses and photos make the biggest difference in these cases because there is often no property owner or homeowner's insurance policy tied to the scene. If anyone saw the dog before the bite, saw it off leash, or knows the owner, their name and contact information can matter. Photos of the location, the dog if possible, and your injuries help us piece together what happened.
- Get the dog owner's name and contact information if they are present
- Write down exactly where the attack happened, including nearby landmarks
- Get names and phone numbers for anyone who saw the dog before or during the attack
- Take photos of the location, any leash or collar involved, and your injuries
- Get medical care and keep records of the treatment you receive
Handling These Claims Around Monument
Monument sits along the I-25 corridor between Colorado Springs and Palmer Lake, with a mix of trails, parks, and open space where dogs are often out and about. Attacks in these public areas happen on Second Street, near Colorado Highway 105, or along paths connecting neighborhoods to Palmer Lake. We handle these cases whether the attack happened on a quiet residential street or a busier public trail.
If your injuries require treatment beyond what's available locally, UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs is a common option for people in the Monument area. Claims that end up in litigation are typically filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, a short drive from Monument, and we meet with clients from throughout the area.
What You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical bills related to the bite and any follow-up treatment
- Lost income if your injuries kept you from working
- Pain and suffering from the attack and recovery
- Scarring or disfigurement from the bite
- Costs tied to future care if your injuries require ongoing treatment
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Monument — 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.
Monument Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I still file a claim if the attack happened in a public park?
Yes. Being in a public place does not disqualify a claim as long as you were lawfully there and the injury was serious enough to meet the requirements of Colorado's dog bite statute. Location alone doesn't determine whether you have a case.
What if the attack happened at a dog park?
Dog park injuries are handled case by case. People who go there accept some normal contact between dogs, but that doesn't mean an owner who let an aggressive or poorly controlled dog cause serious harm is automatically off the hook.
The dog was off leash when it attacked me. Does that help my case?
It can. An off-leash dog in a public area may support a negligence claim against the owner in addition to any claim under the dog bite statute, since letting a dog run loose where it could reach other people is a factor in whether the owner acted carelessly.
I don't know who owns the dog. What should I do?
Try to get contact information for any witnesses who saw the dog or know the owner, and take photos of the dog and the scene if you can do so safely. This information can be critical to identifying the owner later.
Where would my case be handled if it goes to court?
Cases arising from incidents in the Monument area are typically filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. We can walk you through what that process looks like during a free consultation.
Discuss a Monument dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.