El Paso County · Fatal dog attacks
Colorado Springs Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
Losing a family member to a dog attack in Colorado Springs is devastating. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How a Fatal Dog Attack Claim Works in Colorado
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death, as long as the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time. That statute addresses when a dog owner is liable, but it does not by itself decide who in the family may bring a claim after a death.
That question, who may file and what the claim covers, is controlled by Colorado's wrongful-death law, separate from the dog-bite statute. We look at both together: the dog-bite statute to establish the owner's liability for the attack, and wrongful-death law to determine the family's right to recover and the losses that claim addresses.
For details on who may bring a wrongful-death claim and what it covers, see our wrongful-death page. We built this page to explain how the dog-bite statute intersects with that process, not to duplicate it.
Records That Matter in a Fatal Attack Case
A fatal dog attack investigation often involves animal-control and police records documenting the incident, the dog's history, and witness statements. We move quickly to request these records before they are lost, destroyed, or difficult to obtain. Medical and autopsy records also matter, and if the victim was treated at a Colorado Springs hospital such as UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital before passing, those records can help establish the sequence of events and cause of death.
We also gather scene evidence: photos, neighbor accounts, and any prior complaints about the dog. In a fatal case, families are grieving and may not know what records exist or how to request them. We handle that work so the family can focus on each other.
- Any animal-control or police report numbers or names
- Contact information for witnesses to the attack
- Photos of the scene, the dog, or the property
- Medical or hospital paperwork related to treatment before death
- Any prior knowledge of the dog's aggressive behavior
Handling Fatal Dog Attack Cases in Colorado Springs
Fatal dog attacks in our area can happen anywhere, from a quiet street in Old Colorado City to a backyard in Briargate, a property near the Broadmoor, a walk through Manitou Springs, or a home in Fountain. Wherever it happened, a claim connected to a death typically proceeds through El Paso County District Court, and we handle that process for families across the region.
Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs. We meet with grieving families there or wherever is easiest for them, and we coordinate with the wrongful-death process so the family understands both the dog-bite claim and the broader wrongful-death claim.
What a Fatal Dog Attack Claim May Address
- Losses connected to the death itself, as defined by wrongful-death law
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial-related costs
- Loss of companionship and support for surviving family
- 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 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.
Colorado Springs Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog-bite statute say who in my family can sue after a fatal attack?
No. The dog-bite statute addresses when a dog owner is liable for a bite that causes death, but it does not decide who may bring the claim. That question is governed by Colorado's wrongful-death law, which we explain on our wrongful-death page.
What has to be true for the dog-bite statute to apply in a death case?
The statute can apply when the bite causes death and the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time of the attack. We review the facts of each case to see whether that standard is met.
What records do you look for in a fatal dog attack case?
We look for animal-control and police records, witness statements, and medical records, including hospital records if the victim was treated before passing. We request these promptly since records can be harder to obtain over time.
Where would a fatal dog attack claim be handled if it happened in Colorado Springs?
Claims connected to a death that occurred in our area typically proceed through El Paso County District Court. We handle that process alongside the family's wrongful-death claim.
Should I also read your wrongful-death page?
Yes. Our wrongful-death page explains who may file a claim and what losses it addresses, which works together with the dog-bite statute to determine the owner's liability for a fatal attack.
Discuss a Colorado Springs dog bite
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