El Paso County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Colorado Springs Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten on a Colorado Springs trail, park, or sidewalk? Free consultation, no fee unless we recover for you.
Off-Leash Attacks Away From the Owner's Property
A dog does not have to bite someone in a yard or home for the owner to be responsible. If you were lawfully in a public place, like a sidewalk, trail, or open space, and an off-leash dog caused a serious injury, that can meet the standard under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124. Location does not defeat the claim by itself. What matters is whether you had a right to be where you were and whether the injury was serious.
Even when the strict statute does not apply cleanly, an off-leash dog can still support a negligence claim. An owner who lets a dog run loose in public, especially in an area with foot traffic, joggers, or other dogs, may have failed to use reasonable care. We look at how the dog got loose, whether the owner had control of it, and what happened in the moments before the bite.
We do not assume every off-leash incident is automatic liability, and we do not assume location alone rules out a claim. Each case depends on where you were, what you were doing, and how the attack happened. We walk through those specifics with you at no cost during a free consultation.
What Off-Leash and Park Cases Turn On
Dog parks are still public places, and people who use them accept some normal contact between dogs. That does not mean every scrape or scuffle is a case, and it does not mean a serious attack at a dog park is automatically excluded either. The facts matter: was the dog aggressive before the incident, did the owner have control, and did the attack go beyond what a person could reasonably expect from ordinary dog play.
Because these incidents happen in public and often in front of strangers, evidence can disappear fast. We want to know exactly where the dog was, whether it was on or off leash, who saw it happen, and whether anyone took photos of the scene, the dog, or your injuries. Witness names and contact information matter more here than in a home-based bite, since people at a park or on a trail often do not know each other and move on quickly.
- Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the dog or the attack
- Photos of the location, including any leash, fence, or off-leash area signage
- Photos of the dog if possible and of your injuries
- Notes on whether the dog was leashed, tethered, or running loose
- Any medical records from treatment after the bite
Handling Public-Place Bite Claims in Colorado Springs
Off-leash attacks happen across Colorado Springs, from trails near Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs to open spaces in Briargate and neighborhood parks in Fountain and near the Broadmoor. Each area has different foot traffic and different witnesses, and we take the time to figure out who was around and what they saw. If your injuries required treatment at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital, those records help tie the attack to your injuries.
If a claim needs to go to court, these cases are filed in El Paso County District Court. We meet with clients from across the area at our office at 929 W Colorado Ave, and we are glad to talk through what happened, where it happened, and what your options are.
Damages We Help Clients Recover
- Medical bills for treatment and follow-up care
- Scarring or disfigurement from the bite
- Lost wages if you missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical costs if ongoing treatment is needed
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 Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I have a claim if the attack happened at a dog park?
It depends on the circumstances. People at dog parks accept some normal contact between dogs, but that does not mean a serious attack is automatically excluded from a claim. We look at how the dog behaved and whether the owner had reasonable control.
Does it matter that I was on a public trail instead of the owner's property?
No, being in a public place does not defeat a claim. If you were lawfully there and suffered a serious injury from a dog, that can still meet the legal standard for a claim.
The dog was off leash. Is that automatically the owner's fault?
An off-leash dog can support a negligence claim, but it is not automatic. We look at how the dog got loose and whether the owner used reasonable care to keep it under control.
What if I don't know who saw the attack?
Try to think back to who was nearby, even if you did not speak with them. If you can get names or descriptions of witnesses soon after the attack, that information can be very useful to your case.
What does a free consultation involve?
We talk through what happened, where it happened, and what evidence exists. There is no cost to meet with us, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.
Discuss a Colorado Springs dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.