Pueblo County · Non-bite dog attacks
Pueblo Dog Attack Lawyers
Pueblo dog attack without a bite? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When There's No Bite, Colorado Law Still Allows a Claim
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, applies to bites. If a dog knocked you down, chased you, or scratched you without breaking skin, that statute usually does not apply. Instead, we look at a standard negligence claim against the owner.
A negligence claim asks whether the owner controlled the dog, whether the dog was loose or off leash, and whether the owner used reasonable care under the circumstances. If a dog got loose in Pueblo West or ran unrestrained near a sidewalk in Bessemer, that failure to control the animal can support a claim even without a bite.
These injuries can be serious. A knockdown can cause broken bones or head impact. A chase can lead to a fall and torn ligaments. Some people also develop a lasting fear of dogs after an attack. We describe these as possible harms tied to your specific injuries, not outcomes we can promise.
What We Look At in a Non-Bite Attack
Since these claims turn on negligence rather than strict liability, the details matter more. We look at how the dog got loose, whether it had a history of chasing or knocking people down, whether the owner knew about that history, and what precautions, if any, the owner took. Witness accounts, video from nearby businesses or homes, and any prior complaints about the dog can all matter.
If teeth broke the skin during the same incident, the bite statute may also apply alongside a negligence claim. We sort out which facts fall under the bite statute and which fall under ordinary negligence, rather than trying to force every detail of an attack into one legal theory. Getting that sorting right from the start affects how we build your case.
- Get medical care and keep records of any injury from the fall or impact
- Write down where the attack happened, in Pueblo West, Bessemer, Downtown Pueblo, Belmont, or elsewhere
- Get contact information for any witnesses
- Note whether the dog was on a leash or confined before it got loose
- Ask if any nearby cameras may have captured the attack
Handling Non-Bite Attack Claims in Pueblo
Non-bite dog attacks happen in all kinds of settings around Pueblo, from open areas in Pueblo West to sidewalks and yards in Bessemer, Downtown Pueblo, and Belmont. If you were treated at CommonSpirit Parkview Medical Center or another local provider after a fall or collision with a loose dog, those records help establish the injury and its cause.
If a claim needs to go to court, it would be filed in Pueblo County District Court. We meet with clients at our office at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003, and we're familiar with how these negligence-based dog attack claims are handled locally.
Losses We Evaluate in Non-Bite Attack Cases
- Medical costs for fractures, sprains, or head injury
- Costs tied to physical therapy or ongoing treatment
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering from the attack and recovery
- Impact on daily life, including any lasting fear of dogs
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Pueblo — and read client testimonials.
A pickup hit me from behind on Hwy 50 east of Pueblo. The insurer offered $2,600. McCormick & Murphy helped with treatment, filed suit, and the case settled at mediation for $165,000.
C. O., Pueblo · Highway 50 crash
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Pueblo Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
Can I still make a claim if the dog never bit me?
Yes. If a dog knocked you down, chased you, or scratched you without breaking skin, you may have a negligence claim against the owner. It works differently than a bite claim under Colorado's dog bite statute, but it can still lead to compensation.
What do I need to prove in a non-bite dog attack case?
We generally need to show the owner failed to control the dog or use reasonable care, and that this failure caused your injury. Evidence like witness statements, video, and any history of the dog's behavior can support that.
What if the dog bit me and also knocked me down?
Both the bite statute and a negligence claim may apply in that situation. We review all the facts to determine which legal theories fit your specific injuries.
Is a knockdown injury taken as seriously as a bite injury?
Knockdowns can cause broken bones, head injuries, and torn ligaments, which can be just as serious as a bite wound. We evaluate the injury itself, not just how it happened, when building your claim.
Where would a Pueblo non-bite dog attack claim be filed?
If a lawsuit becomes necessary, it would generally be filed in Pueblo County District Court. We can walk you through what that process looks like during a free consultation.
Discuss a Pueblo dog bite
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