Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties · Fatal dog attacks
Aurora Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
Aurora families who lose a loved one to a dog attack can call us for a free consultation; no fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death, provided the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time. This statute sets out how a dog owner can be held responsible for the physical harm the animal caused, and a death case builds on that same foundation.
But the dog-bite statute alone does not decide who in the family has the right to bring a claim after a death. That question is controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, which sets out which family members may file and in what order. We do not guess at that answer here because it depends on the family's specific circumstances.
If your family has lost someone to a dog attack in Aurora, we look at both bodies of law together: the dog-bite statute to establish the owner's responsibility for the attack, and wrongful-death law to determine who can pursue the claim and what it can address. For more detail on who may file and what losses a wrongful-death claim covers, see our wrongful-death page.
Records That Matter in a Fatal Attack Case
A fatal dog attack often generates records beyond the medical file. Police may respond to the scene, and animal-control officers may investigate the dog's history and how the attack happened. These records can document where the attack occurred, whether the dog had prior incidents, and the circumstances that led to the death.
Medical records also matter. If the victim was treated before passing away, hospital records from a facility such as UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital can help establish the sequence of events and the extent of the injuries. We work to gather these records early, before they become harder to obtain.
- Any police or animal-control reports related to the incident
- Contact information for witnesses who saw the attack or the dog beforehand
- Photos of the scene, the dog, and the property where it happened
- Medical records from any treatment before death
- Information about the dog owner and the dog's history, if known
Serving Aurora Families
We handle fatal dog attack cases for families across Aurora, including areas near East Colfax Avenue, Parker Road, and E-470. These claims often touch Arapahoe, Adams, or Douglas counties depending on where the attack happened, and matters may proceed through the Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Our office is in Denver, and we meet with Aurora families to walk through both the dog-bite claim and the wrongful-death process. We know these conversations are difficult, and we aim to explain the legal path clearly without adding to the family's burden.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim May Address
- Losses tied to the family's relationship with the person who died
- Financial support the family has lost
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Other losses recognized under Colorado wrongful-death law
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Aurora — 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.
Aurora Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the Colorado dog-bite statute apply if the attack caused a death?
Yes, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 can apply to a fatal attack, provided the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property when it happened. This statute addresses the dog owner's responsibility for the physical harm caused. A death case still requires looking at wrongful-death law to determine who can bring the claim.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim after a fatal dog attack in Aurora?
That is controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, not by the dog-bite statute alone. The specific family members who may file depend on the circumstances of the case. Visit our wrongful-death page for more on how this works.
What records are important in a fatal dog attack case?
Police reports, animal-control records, witness statements, and medical records from any treatment before death can all matter. These records help establish what happened and the dog's history, if any. We work to gather them as soon as possible.
Will there be a criminal investigation into the dog owner?
A fatal attack can involve police and animal-control review, and these records may become part of the civil claim. We do not control any criminal process, but we can request and use available records to support the family's case.
How does the firm help Aurora families after a fatal dog attack?
We review the facts, gather available police, animal-control, and medical records, and explain how the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law apply together. We meet with families from Aurora and the surrounding area, including near East Colfax Avenue and Parker Road, to walk through the process. Consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Aurora dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.