El Paso County · Non-bite dog attacks
Palmer Lake Dog Attack Lawyers
Knocked down or chased by a dog in Palmer Lake? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When It's a Negligence Claim, Not a Bite Claim
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, is written around bites. If a dog knocked you down, chased you, or scratched you without breaking skin with teeth, that event usually falls outside the statute and instead becomes a general negligence claim against the owner or the person controlling the dog at the time.
That distinction matters for how we build the case. Instead of relying on strict liability, we have to show the owner failed to use reasonable care - letting the dog run loose, ignoring known aggressive behavior, failing to leash or restrain the animal in a place where people were walking or riding bikes.
We treat these as their own category of claim rather than trying to force every dog encounter into the bite statute. That means gathering different kinds of proof and, sometimes, naming different parties depending on who actually had control of the dog when the attack happened.
What We Look At in Non-Bite Attacks
Control and containment are the central questions. Was the dog on a leash, behind a fence, or in a yard with a working gate? Did the owner have any history of the dog getting loose or lunging at people, and did they take any steps to prevent it? Witness accounts, animal control records, and photos of the property where the dog was kept can all speak to whether the owner acted reasonably.
We also document the injury itself, even without a bite wound. Knockdowns can cause broken bones, head injuries, and torn ligaments, and being chased or charged by a dog can leave someone genuinely afraid of dogs afterward. If teeth did break the skin at any point during the encounter, we look closely at those facts separately, since the bite statute may apply to that portion of the incident even if the rest of the attack was a knockdown or chase.
- Get medical attention for any fall, impact, or injury, even without a visible bite wound
- Write down exactly what happened - was the dog loose, chasing, or knocked you over
- Get the owner's name, address, and contact information if possible
- Ask any witnesses along the trail or roadway for their names and numbers
- Take photos of the scene, including fencing, gates, or leashes involved
Handling Non-Bite Attack Claims Near Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake sits along the I-25 corridor near Colorado Highway 105 and County Line Road, with walkers, runners, and cyclists using roads and trails near Monument and out toward Colorado Springs. Loose dogs along these routes can knock down a pedestrian or cyclist without ever biting, and those incidents deserve the same serious look as a bite case.
We handle these negligence claims in El Paso County Combined Courts and can direct clients toward UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs for treatment. Our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs is a short drive from Palmer Lake for anyone who wants to meet in person and go over what happened.
Losses We Look At in Non-Bite Attack Cases
- Medical costs for fractures, head injuries, or torn ligaments
- Costs of physical therapy or rehabilitation from a fall
- Lost income while recovering from the injury
- Pain and suffering from the physical trauma
- Ongoing fear or anxiety around dogs following the attack
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Palmer Lake — 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.
Palmer Lake Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
Do I have a case if the dog never bit me?
Possibly, yes. A knockdown, chase, or scratch without a bite generally falls under general negligence law rather than the strict liability bite statute, but the owner can still be responsible if they failed to control the dog reasonably.
What do I need to prove in a non-bite dog attack claim?
We generally need to show the owner didn't use reasonable care - for example, letting the dog run loose, ignoring a known tendency to charge at people, or failing to use a leash or fence where one was needed.
What if I was scratched but not technically bitten?
We look closely at what actually happened. If teeth broke the skin at any point, the bite statute may apply to that part of the incident, so we sort out the bite facts from the non-bite facts rather than assuming one label fits the whole event.
Can I still recover if my main injury is from falling, not the dog itself?
Yes, injuries from being knocked down or from falling while trying to avoid a chasing dog can still form the basis of a negligence claim against the owner, depending on how the dog was being controlled at the time.
Where would this type of claim be handled?
Non-bite dog attack negligence claims arising near Palmer Lake are generally handled in El Paso County Combined Courts, and we can meet with you at our Colorado Springs office to talk through the details.
Discuss a Palmer Lake dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.