City and County of Denver · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Denver Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Bitten by an off-leash dog in Denver? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Off-Leash Attacks and Your Legal Options
If you were bitten by a dog in a public place in Denver, such as a sidewalk, trail, or open space, you may still have a claim under Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124. The statute applies when you were lawfully present at the location and suffered a serious injury. It does not matter that the attack happened away from the owner's property.
An off-leash dog can also support a separate negligence claim. If an owner let a dog run loose in an area where it should have been controlled, and that failure to control the dog led to your injury, we can look at whether the owner's conduct fell below what a reasonable dog owner would have done.
Dog parks raise their own questions. People who bring dogs to a dog park generally accept some amount of contact and rough play between dogs. That does not mean every dog-park injury is automatically a valid claim, but it does not mean a dog-park bite can never lead to one either. What happened, how the dog was behaving beforehand, and whether the owner had any warning all matter.
What Helps Prove an Off-Leash Case
Location matters. We want to know exactly where the attack happened, whether it was a sidewalk, park path, open space, or designated dog park, and whether leash rules applied there. Photos of the scene, including any posted signage, help establish the setting.
We also want witness names and contact information as early as possible. People walking, jogging, or with their own dogs nearby often see how the attack started and whether the dog was leashed or under any control at all. That firsthand account can be difficult to recover later, so gathering it quickly matters.
- Note the exact location of the attack, including nearby landmarks
- Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the dog before or during the attack
- Take photos of the scene, the dog if possible, and your injuries
- Write down whether the dog was on a leash, off a leash, or unattended
- Keep any records from medical care you received after the bite
Handling Off-Leash Claims in Denver
Off-leash incidents in Denver happen across many different settings, from busy sidewalks in Capitol Hill and Five Points to park paths in Cherry Creek, Highland, and RiNo. Each location has its own foot traffic patterns and likely witnesses, which shapes how we go about gathering evidence for your claim.
If your injuries required treatment, records from providers such as Denver Health Medical Center can help document what happened. Claims arising from incidents in Denver are handled through Denver District Court, and we work within the City and County of Denver to build your case.
What You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical bills related to the bite and any follow-up care
- Scarring or disfigurement from the attack
- Lost wages if your injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering from the attack and recovery
- Costs of any additional treatment needed for the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Denver — 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.
Denver Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I still file a claim if the attack happened in a public park?
Yes. Colorado's dog-bite statute can apply if you were lawfully present in the park and suffered a serious injury. The fact that the attack happened away from the owner's home does not remove your right to pursue a claim.
Does it matter if the dog was off its leash?
It can support a negligence claim in addition to a statutory claim. If the owner failed to keep the dog under control in a place where control was expected, that failure may be part of your case.
Are dog-park bites treated differently?
Dog parks involve some accepted risk of contact between dogs, so not every incident there leads to a valid claim. That said, a dog-park bite is not automatically excluded either. It depends on the specific facts, including the dog's behavior and any warning signs beforehand.
What if I don't know who owns the dog?
Witness information and photos from the scene can help identify the dog and its owner. The sooner these details are gathered, the better the chance of tracking down the responsible party.
What does the free consultation involve?
We review what happened, where it happened, and what evidence you have so far. There is no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Denver dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.