El Paso County · Non-Bite Dog Attacks
Colorado Springs Dog Attack Lawyers
Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Colorado Springs. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Non-Bite Dog Attack Claims: Negligence, Not Just the Bite Statute
McCormick & Murphy are Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers for people hurt by a knockdown, chase, or other attack that was not a bite. We file in El Paso County District Court.
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, applies to bites. If a dog knocked you down, chased you into traffic, jumped on you, or scratched you without breaking skin, that's usually not covered by the strict liability statute. It's a negligence claim instead.
A negligence claim means we have to show the owner failed to use reasonable care, not just that the dog caused harm. That includes whether the dog was on a leash, whether it had gotten loose before, whether the owner knew the dog was prone to chasing or jumping, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to control it.
These claims are different from bite cases, and they take a different kind of proof. We build them around the owner's conduct: how the dog got loose, what warnings existed, and whether the owner acted like a reasonable person would have under the circumstances.
What Non-Bite Attack Evidence Needs To Show
We look at how the dog got loose or off-leash, whether a fence or gate failed, whether the owner had control of the leash, and whether anyone warned the owner beforehand about the dog's behavior. Witness accounts of the chase or knockdown matter, along with photos of the scene, any fencing or containment, and the area where it happened.
If teeth broke the skin at any point during the attack, the bite statute may also come into play alongside the negligence claim. We sort through the facts to figure out which parts of the incident fall under which theory, rather than trying to force a knockdown or chase into a bite framework where it doesn't fit.
Investigating Colorado Springs Non-Bite Dog Attacks & Client Office Access
Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers handle knockdown, chase, and non-bite incidents through negligence claims filed in El Paso County District Court.
- Non-Bite Evidence We Build: We examine how the dog got loose or off-leash, whether fencing or gates failed, whether the owner had leash control, and any prior warnings about the dog's behavior. Witness accounts, photos of the scene and containment, and records from falls or impacts all help prove the owner failed to use reasonable care.
- Local Injuries We Document: Broken bones, head injuries, torn ligaments, and ongoing anxiety from knockdowns and chases across Colorado Springs—from Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs to Briargate, Broadmoor, and Fountain. Treatment records from UCHealth Memorial or Penrose help establish the harm even without a bite.
- Office Access: Clients meet with our team at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 ↗ — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Non-bite dog attacks require negligence proof, not just injury. Preserve evidence showing how the dog got loose, the owner's control, and prior warnings to build your Colorado Springs knockdown or chase claim.
- Photos of bruising, swelling, or injury even without broken skin
- Names and contact info for anyone who saw the chase or knockdown
- Information on the dog and owner, including address if known
- Records from any medical visit related to the fall or impact
- Notes on where the dog was kept and how it got loose
- Evidence of how the dog got loose or off-leash
- Photos of any fence or gate that failed
- Witness accounts of the chase or knockdown
- Photos of the scene and the area where it happened
- Records showing whether the owner had control of the leash
- Evidence of prior warnings to the owner about the dog's behavior
- Documentation of whether the dog was prone to chasing or jumping
- UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital treatment records
Speak directly with Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers at McCormick & Murphy. Free consultation at (719) 389-0400. Office located at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
Non-Bite Dog Attacks Around Colorado Springs
We see these incidents happen in all kinds of settings around Colorado Springs, from sidewalks in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs to yards and parks in Briargate, the Broadmoor area, and Fountain. A loose dog chasing a cyclist or knocking down a pedestrian can cause real injury even without a bite, and the location often matters for figuring out who else might share responsibility, like a property owner or renter.
If you were treated at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital after a fall or impact from a dog, those records help document the injury. If a claim needs to go to court, it would be filed in El Paso County District Court. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, and we meet with clients from across the area.
Injuries From Knockdowns And Chases We Document
- Broken bones from a fall or collision with the dog
- Head injury from impact with the ground or a hard surface
- Torn ligaments or joint injuries from a sudden fall or twist
- Medical costs tied to treatment and any follow-up care
- Ongoing fear or anxiety around dogs after the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Colorado Springs — 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.
Do I Need A Lawyer After A Non-Bite Dog Attack In Colorado Springs?
Do I need Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers after an injury?
Call Colorado Springs dog attack lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Colorado Springs office is at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
If the dog didn't bite me, do I still have a claim?
Possibly, but it would generally be a negligence claim rather than a strict liability claim under the bite statute. We'd need to show the owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling the dog. Knockdowns, chases, and scratches without broken skin often fall into this category.
What do I need to prove in a non-bite dog attack case?
We focus on whether the owner controlled the dog properly, whether it was loose or off-leash, and whether the owner knew or should have known the dog could cause this kind of harm. Evidence about fencing, leash use, and prior incidents all factor in.
What if the dog scratched me but didn't break the skin?
That's typically treated as a non-bite injury and evaluated under a negligence theory. We look at the same factors: control of the dog, how it got loose, and whether the owner acted reasonably.
Can I still have a case if I fell and got hurt, but the dog never touched me?
Yes, that's possible. If a dog charged, chased, or startled you and you fell as a result, the injury can still form the basis of a negligence claim against the owner.
What if the attack involved both a chase and a bite?
We sort through the facts to determine which parts of the incident might fall under the bite statute and which are better handled as negligence. Both theories can sometimes apply to the same incident depending on what happened.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Colorado Springs — Downtown
Discuss Your Colorado Springs Dog Attack Case
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