Douglas County · Non-bite dog attacks
Parker Dog Attack Lawyers
Knocked down or chased by a dog in Parker? Free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Dog Attack Isn't a Bite
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, covers bites. But dogs hurt people in other ways too. A dog that knocks someone down, chases a cyclist into traffic, or scratches a person while jumping can cause real harm without ever breaking skin. Those cases usually fall outside the strict liability bite statute and are handled as ordinary negligence claims.
That distinction matters because a negligence claim requires us to show the owner failed to use reasonable care. We look at whether the dog was under control, whether it was loose or off leash, whether the owner knew the dog had a tendency to jump, chase, or knock into people, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent that.
Non-bite attacks can still lead to serious injury. Broken bones, head injuries from a fall, torn ligaments, and lasting fear around dogs are all possible outcomes. We treat these as possible harms to be documented and proven, not assumed.
Building a Negligence Case
Because a non-bite attack isn't covered by strict liability, the evidence has to speak to control and carelessness. We look for information about whether the dog was on a leash or fenced in, whether it had gotten loose before, and whether the owner was present and able to respond. Witness accounts of the dog's behavior leading up to the incident are often central to these claims.
If teeth also broke the skin during the same incident, the bite statute may apply to that part of the injury. We don't force every fact into one legal theory. We sort out which parts of the attack are governed by the bite statute and which parts depend on proving the owner's negligence, then build the claim around what actually happened.
- Photos of the scene, the dog, and any visible injuries
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw the attack
- Medical records describing falls, fractures, or other injuries
- Any information about the dog's owner and whether the dog was loose before
- Notes on how the attack happened, including what the dog did
Non-Bite Dog Attacks in Parker
Parker has a lot of foot and bike traffic in areas like Mainstreet, Lincoln Avenue, and along the Parker Road corridor, plus open trail and park space near Lone Tree and E-470. Loose dogs in these busier corridors can knock down pedestrians, chase cyclists, or startle runners without ever biting anyone. We handle these cases as negligence claims tied to the specific facts of how the dog got loose and what the owner did or didn't do.
If a non-bite attack in Parker sends someone to AdventHealth Parker or another facility, we help connect the medical picture to the negligence claim. Douglas County matters, including litigation if it comes to that, are handled through the Douglas County Justice Center, and our office works these cases from Denver.
What These Claims Can Involve
- Medical bills for fractures, head injuries, or torn ligaments
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and physical limitation from the fall or impact
- Ongoing fear or anxiety around dogs
- Future medical care if injuries require follow-up treatment
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Parker — 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.
Parker Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
If the dog didn't bite me, do I still have a case?
Possibly, as a negligence claim rather than a strict liability bite claim. We look at whether the owner failed to control the dog and whether that failure caused your injury.
What if the dog scratched me while jumping but didn't bite?
That's typically treated as a non-bite attack under negligence principles, since the bite statute is aimed at bites specifically. We evaluate the facts to see how the injury happened and what the owner should have done differently.
What if I was chased and fell, but the dog never touched me?
You can still have a claim if the dog's owner failed to control it and that failure led to your fall and injury. We look at whether the dog was loose or unsupervised and what caused you to fall.
How is a non-bite claim different from a bite claim?
Bite claims can rely on Colorado's strict liability statute, which doesn't require proving the owner was careless. Non-bite claims generally require showing the owner didn't use reasonable care in controlling the dog.
What if the attack involved both a bite and a knockdown?
We look at each part of the incident separately. The bite portion may fall under the bite statute while the knockdown or chase portion is evaluated as negligence, and we build the claim around both.
Discuss a Parker dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.