El Paso County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Old Colorado City Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Old Colorado City dog bite? 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 make a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. That covers a lot of the situations we see around Old Colorado City, from foot traffic along Colorado Avenue to visits at a friend's home near 25th Street.
One of the more important features of this statute is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. Under general negligence law, a victim often has to show the owner had reason to know the dog was dangerous. The statute removes that burden for qualifying injuries, which can make a real difference in how a claim is built.
The statute's owner liability applies to economic damages. If the injury also involves scarring, pain, or other noneconomic harm, that part of the claim may need to proceed as a separate negligence claim. We look at both angles together so nothing gets left out of the case.
Proving Serious Bodily Injury and Where It Happened
A central question in these cases is whether the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury: a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part or organ. Medical records from treatment, including any care received at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, help document the nature and extent of the injury. A lesser bite that doesn't meet this threshold can still support a negligence claim, so the medical picture matters from day one.
We also need to establish where the bite happened and whether the injured person was lawfully present, whether that's a public sidewalk along U.S. Highway 24, a business near 21st Street, or private property. Witness accounts, photos of the scene, and any available animal control or law enforcement documentation help pin down these facts and address potential defenses like provocation or trespass.
- Photos of the injury, torn clothing, and the location where the bite occurred
- Names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Medical records and discharge paperwork from any treatment received
- Any animal control report or citation issued after the incident
- Contact information for the dog's owner and any known history of the dog
Handling Dog Bite Claims Near Old Colorado City
Old Colorado City's mix of shops, foot traffic, and residential streets near Manitou Springs means dog bite incidents can happen in a range of settings, from a public sidewalk to a neighbor's yard. We look closely at where the bite occurred because the statute's protections depend on the injured person being lawfully present in that location.
Claims arising in this area are generally handled through El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 is close by, and we're familiar with how these cases move through the local court system.
What a Dog Bite Claim May Cover
- Medical expenses tied to treatment of the bite injury
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Future medical costs for ongoing or follow-up care
- Pain, scarring, and other noneconomic losses through a negligence claim
- Other economic losses directly tied to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
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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.
Old Colorado City Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, owner liability for a bite causing serious bodily injury does not require showing the owner knew about a prior bite. That's different from a standard negligence claim, which often looks at whether the owner had reason to know the dog was dangerous.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
The statute defines it as a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. If a bite doesn't reach that level, a negligence claim may still be available.
Can I recover for pain and scarring under this statute?
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages. Noneconomic losses like pain and scarring typically require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
The statute can apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time of the bite, not just in a public place. Whether you were lawfully present is a key fact we examine.
Are there defenses a dog owner can raise?
Yes. Provocation and trespass are recognized defenses, and the statute also lists exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We evaluate whether any of these apply to the specific facts of your case.
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