Pueblo County · Non-bite dog attacks
Pueblo West Dog Attack Lawyers
Knocked down or chased by a dog in Pueblo West? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When The Dog Bite Statute Doesn't Fit
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, covers bites. If a dog in Pueblo West knocked you down, chased you, or scratched you without breaking skin, that claim generally falls under ordinary negligence law rather than the strict liability rule that applies to bites.
A negligence claim asks different questions than a bite claim. We look at whether the owner kept control of the dog, whether the dog was off leash or loose from a yard, and whether the owner acted reasonably given what they knew about the dog. These facts matter more than whether teeth ever touched you.
These injuries are not always minor. A knockdown can cause broken bones, a head injury, or torn ligaments, and the fear that follows a chase or attack is real. We describe these as possible harms we investigate in each case, not outcomes we promise.
Building A Negligence Case
Because a non-bite attack claim rests on negligence, we gather evidence about the owner's control of the dog: fencing, leash use, prior incidents, and whether the dog got loose through a gate, a broken fence, or an open door. Witness accounts of the chase or knockdown, and photos of the property where the dog was kept, help establish whether the owner failed to use reasonable care.
If the incident happened partly as a bite and partly as a knockdown or chase, we separate the bite facts from the non-bite facts rather than trying to force everything under one legal theory. That means identifying whether skin was broken at any point, since the bite statute may still apply to that portion of the incident even while a negligence claim covers the rest.
- Photos of any bruising, scrapes, or visible injury from the fall or contact
- Names of anyone who saw the dog loose or saw the chase or knockdown
- Information on where the dog was kept and how it got loose
- Medical records from any visit related to the fall or injury
- Notes on your fear or hesitation around dogs since the incident
Handling Pueblo West Cases
We handle non-bite dog attack claims from across Pueblo West, including incidents near U.S. Highway 50, McCulloch Boulevard, Joe Martinez Boulevard, and Pueblo Boulevard. Loose dogs on these roads and surrounding residential streets can cause knockdowns and chases involving pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers.
If your injuries required treatment, records from UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo often document the fall or impact even when no bite occurred. When a Pueblo West case needs to go to court, it's filed in Pueblo County Combined Courts. Our office is at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.
Possible Losses We Examine
- Medical treatment for fractures, head injury, or torn ligaments
- Follow-up care such as physical therapy for a fall-related injury
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and physical limitation from the injury
- Ongoing fear or anxiety around dogs following the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Pueblo West — 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 West Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog bite statute cover a knockdown with no bite?
Generally no. C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 applies to bites, so a knockdown, chase, or scratch without broken skin is usually handled as a negligence claim instead.
What do I have to prove in a non-bite negligence claim?
We look at whether the owner controlled the dog, whether it was loose, and whether the owner failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances. This is different from the strict liability standard used for bites.
What if the dog bit me and also knocked me down?
We sort out which facts involve a bite and which involve a knockdown or chase. The bite statute may apply to the bite portion while a negligence claim covers the rest.
Can I have a claim if I was only scared and not physically hurt?
Fear following a chase or attack can be part of a claim, but we evaluate each situation individually since outcomes depend on the specific facts.
Where would a Pueblo West case be filed?
Cases from Pueblo West are generally filed in Pueblo County Combined Courts. Our office is located at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.
Discuss a Pueblo West dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.