El Paso County · Landlord liability
Security-Widefield Landlord Dog Bite Lawyers
Bitten by a dog at a Security-Widefield rental or HOA property? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Landlord or HOA Can Be Held Responsible
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, is written to hold dog owners responsible. It does not make a landlord strictly liable simply because the attack happened on rental property they own or manage.
That does not end the inquiry. A landlord, property manager, or homeowners association can face a separate negligence claim if the facts show they knew about a dangerous dog on the property and failed to do anything about it, or if the attack happened in a common area they controlled, like a shared yard, breezeway, or parking area at a Security-Widefield apartment or townhome complex.
These cases require looking at what the landlord or HOA actually knew, when they knew it, and what control they had over the space where the bite occurred. We investigate both the dog owner's conduct and the property manager's or association's role before deciding who the right defendants are.
Building the Case Against a Property Owner or Manager
Lease agreements and HOA rules often matter here. A lease with a breed restriction, a pet addendum, or prior complaint records can show the landlord had notice of a dog living on the property or knew about a specific dog's behavior. A breed restriction alone does not prove liability, but it can be one piece of evidence about what the landlord knew and whether they enforced their own rules.
We also look at maintenance and complaint records, emails or texts between tenants and management, prior incident reports, and who had authority over common areas where the attack happened. The dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance is usually the first place we look for coverage, but a landlord's or HOA's property policy can raise a second question worth examining, since not every landlord policy responds to a dog bite claim.
- Get medical care and keep records of the treatment you received
- Photograph the location of the attack, including any common area involved
- Get the dog owner's name and, if known, their unit or lease information
- Save any lease, HOA rules, or pet policy documents you have access to
- Write down what you knew about the dog before the attack and how you knew it
Security-Widefield Rental and HOA Properties
Security-Widefield has a mix of rental complexes and HOA-governed neighborhoods near U.S. Highway 85, Bradley Road, Fontaine Boulevard, and Widefield Boulevard, along with properties closer to Fountain. Attacks in shared yards, walkways, or parking areas at these properties raise the landlord and HOA questions this page covers.
If you were treated at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs after a bite on rental or HOA property, keep those records. Claims involving El Paso County landlords or associations are typically handled through El Paso County Combined Courts, and we work these cases from our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs.
What These Claims Can Cover
- Medical treatment for bite wounds and related injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if additional treatment is needed
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Security-Widefield — 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.
Security-Widefield Landlord liability FAQ
Can I sue my landlord if my neighbor's dog bit me?
It depends on what the landlord knew and where the attack happened. If they knew about a dangerous dog and did nothing, or the bite occurred in a common area they controlled, you may have a separate negligence claim against them in addition to any claim against the dog owner.
Does a no-pets or breed-restriction clause in my lease help my case?
It can show the landlord had rules in place and information about pets on the property, which is relevant to notice. It does not by itself prove the landlord is liable; we still need to show what they knew and how they responded.
Will the landlord's insurance pay for my injuries?
The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is usually the first source we check. A landlord's property policy is a separate question and does not automatically cover dog bite claims, so we look at both when deciding where a claim can be made.
What if the attack happened in a shared area of my apartment complex?
Common areas like shared yards, breezeways, or parking lots are often under the property manager's or HOA's control. That control is part of what we examine when deciding whether a negligence claim against the property exists alongside a claim against the dog's owner.
What should I do first if I was bitten on rental property in Security-Widefield?
Get medical care, document the scene and the dog if possible, and save any lease or HOA paperwork you have. Then contact us for a free consultation so we can look at both the dog owner's and the property's potential responsibility.
Discuss a Security-Widefield dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.