Pueblo County · Dog bites and attacks
Pueblo Dog Bite Lawyers
Pueblo dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 50, Pueblo Boulevard, in Pueblo West, and across Pueblo County. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado Dog-Bite Claims
McCormick & Murphy are Pueblo dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the animal-control or Pueblo Police Department report, the records from Parkview, and we file in Pueblo County District Court when the insurer will not pay a fair number.
Colorado law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even if the dog has never bitten before. This means you do not have to prove the owner was careless—only that the dog bit or attacked you and caused injury. We examine ownership and control of the dog, where the attack happened (on a trail near U.S. Highway 50, in a neighborhood off Pueblo Boulevard, or elsewhere), and whether statutory requirements are met.
Beyond the dog-bite statute, we also pursue separate negligence claims when the facts support them. This includes situations where an owner knew the dog was dangerous, failed to contain or warn about it, or violated local leash laws. Whether your attack occurred in Pueblo West, Bessemer, Downtown Pueblo, or another area of Pueblo County, we investigate the circumstances and the dog's prior behavior to strengthen your claim.
Evidence We Gather
We obtain animal-control reports filed with the Pueblo Police Department or Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, vaccination records, ownership documentation, and any prior-incident reports involving the same dog. Photographs of your injuries, the attack scene, and the dog itself are critical. We also secure your complete medical records from CommonSpirit Parkview Medical Center or other Pueblo providers documenting treatment, wound care, and any follow-up visits or procedures.
Witness statements are invaluable. We interview neighbors, passersby, or anyone present during the attack and preserve their accounts in detail. We review any available homeowner's or renter's insurance policies that may cover the attack, and we examine whether the dog had been loose, off-leash, or trespassing in violation of Pueblo County ordinances. All of this evidence is organized and presented to support your damages claim.
Local investigations may involve Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, or Colorado State Patrol, scenes in Bessemer or Belmont, parks, trails, and residential yards.
After a dog attack in Pueblo, Pueblo West, or surrounding areas, collect the following:
- Medical records from CommonSpirit Parkview Medical Center or other provider who treated the bite
- Photographs of all wounds, scarring, and injury progression over time
- Names and contact information for witnesses present during the attack
- Police report from Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, or Colorado State Patrol
- Animal-control report filed with local authorities (check for prior incidents involving the dog)
- Proof of the dog's ownership and whether the owner was present or negligent in control
- Veterinary or vaccination records for the dog involved
- Evidence of the dog's prior aggressive behavior (if any)
- Documentation of lost income, medical bills, and ongoing treatment expenses
- Proof of emotional distress, anxiety, or fear related to the incident
- Location details (e.g., U.S. Highway 50, Pueblo Boulevard, I-25, or neighborhood streets)
- Records of any warnings given by neighbors or others about the dog's danger
- Insurance information for the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's policy
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Dog bites and attacks often cause puncture wounds, lacerations, crush injuries, and infection. Some bites damage nerves or tendons, requiring surgical repair. You may need emergency care, wound closure, rabies and tetanus vaccination, antibiotics, and pain management. Later, you might require surgical revision to minimize scarring, particularly on the face, hands, or neck. Your medical records form the foundation of your injury claim.
Beyond immediate physical injury, dog attacks frequently cause lasting emotional and psychological harm—fear of dogs, anxiety in public spaces, post-traumatic stress, and in some cases depression. We account for both the direct medical costs and the broader impact on your quality of life when calculating your full damages.
Official Pueblo hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages You May Recover
- Medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, wound treatment, physical therapy, and future corrective procedures
- Scarring and disfigurement: compensation for visible scars, cosmetic surgery, and the lasting impact on appearance
- Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, fear of dogs, and loss of enjoyment of daily life
- Lost income and earning capacity: wages lost during recovery and reduced earning ability if the attack caused permanent disability
- Rehabilitation and counseling: costs for therapy, psychological treatment, and recovery services
We pursue these damages in Pueblo County District Court on your behalf, seeking a recovery that reflects the full scope of your injury and loss.
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 Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Pueblo dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Pueblo dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. We meet you at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.
What is Colorado's dog-bite law, and how does it apply in Pueblo County?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds a dog owner liable for damages if the dog injures someone, regardless of the dog's prior behavior or the owner's knowledge of dangerous tendencies. However, other negligence claims may also exist—for example, if an owner failed to restrain a dog on a leash on U.S. Highway 50 or a residential street in Pueblo. We examine both the statutory claim and facts specific to your incident to identify all available grounds for recovery.
Do I have a time limit to file a claim after a dog bite in Pueblo?
Yes. The deadline to file a lawsuit depends on whether the dog's owner is a private person, a business, or a government entity. If a public agency (such as Pueblo Police Department or Pueblo County Sheriff's Office) is involved, there is often an early written-notice requirement. Contact us promptly so we can evaluate your specific incident and preserve your rights.
How much will it cost to pursue a dog-bite claim?
McCormick & Murphy takes dog-bite claims on a contingency fee, meaning we earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won in Pueblo County District Court. Costs for case investigation, medical records, and expert reports are separate from the attorney fee and are typically advanced by the firm. You don't pay upfront.
What damages can I recover for a dog bite, such as scarring or lost work?
You may recover compensation for medical treatment and future care, scarring and permanent disfigurement, pain and suffering, lost wages and lost earning capacity, emotional distress or fear of dogs, and punitive damages in certain cases. We review all aspects of your injury—physical, emotional, and financial—to build your claim.
What role does an animal-control report play in my case?
An animal-control report filed with local Pueblo authorities documents the attack, the dog's ownership, any prior incidents, and vaccination status. This report is critical evidence that supports your claim and may establish prior dangerous behavior or a pattern of escapes. We obtain and review all available reports from the relevant jurisdiction to strengthen your case.
Related legal guides
City pages for this practice area
Pueblo dog-bite claims
Colorado dog-bite statute
Owner liability under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 when a bite causes serious bodily injury.
Child dog-bite injuries
Bites to minors, who may bring the claim, and scarring that shows up as a child grows.
Landlord liability
Apartment, rental, and HOA cases where the dog owner is not the only possible defendant.
Non-bite dog attacks
Knockdowns, chases, and other attacks that are not a bite under the statute.
Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Public paths, parks, and attacks away from the owner's home.
Facial scarring
Disfigurement, infection, nerve injury, and reconstructive care after a bite.
Homeowner's insurance
Homeowner and renter coverage, breed exclusions, and delayed or denied claims.
Fatal dog attacks
Death from a dog attack, and how that claim connects to Colorado wrongful-death law.
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Discuss your Pueblo claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.