Jefferson County · Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Wheat Ridge Off-Leash Dog Attack Lawyers
Wheat Ridge dog-bite claims after off-leash attacks: free consultation, no fee unless we recover for you.
When an Off-Leash Attack Creates a Claim
A dog does not have to be on its owner's property for you to have a claim. If you were lawfully in a public place in Wheat Ridge, on a path, sidewalk, or open space, and a dog bit you causing a serious injury, that can meet the standard set out in C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124. Location alone does not defeat a claim.
An off-leash dog can also support a separate negligence claim against the owner or handler. If someone let a dog run loose along a busy corridor or failed to keep control of it in a public setting, that conduct can be part of the case even apart from the strict-liability statute. We look at how the dog got loose and what the owner did or failed to do.
Dog parks raise a different question. People who bring their dogs to a designated dog park generally accept that dogs will make contact with each other and with people to some degree. That does not mean a dog-park injury can never be a claim, and it does not mean every incident there is automatic liability either. We look closely at what happened, whether the dog had a history of aggression, and whether the owner had a real chance to prevent the attack.
Building the Off-Leash Case
Where the attack happened matters. We want to know the specific location, whether it was a sidewalk along Wadsworth Boulevard or Kipling Street, a trail near West 38th Avenue, or a dog park, and whether that area required dogs to be leashed. Photos of the scene, taken as soon as possible, help show the layout and any signage about leash rules.
We also want witness names and contact information. People walking, biking, or nearby when the attack happened can confirm whether the dog was leashed, whether the owner had control, and what happened in the moments before the bite. Medical records from treatment, including any visit to Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital, help connect the attack to your injuries and support the rest of the claim.
- Exact location of the attack, including nearby cross streets or trail markers
- Photos of the scene and any leash or dog-park signage
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses who saw the dog off leash
- Description of the dog and any information about its owner
- Copies of medical records from treatment after the bite
Handling Claims From Wheat Ridge
We handle off-leash and dog-park attack claims from Wheat Ridge, including incidents near I-70, along Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling Street, and around West 38th Avenue, as well as nearby Arvada. These are busy corridors and open spaces where dogs are frequently walked, and where leash rules and public expectations both matter to a claim.
If a claim requires filing, that happens in Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We handle that process and the work of gathering scene evidence and witness statements so you can focus on recovering from your injury.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills for treatment of the bite and any follow-up care
- Lost wages if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering from the attack and recovery
- Scarring or disfigurement from the bite
- Future medical costs if ongoing treatment is needed
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Wheat Ridge — 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.
Wheat Ridge Off-leash and dog-park attacks FAQ
Can I still have a claim if the attack happened in a public park, not on the owner's property?
Yes. Location does not determine whether you have a claim. If you were lawfully in that public place and suffered a serious injury from the bite, that can support a claim against the dog's owner.
Does going to a dog park mean I can't file a claim if I'm bitten?
Not necessarily. People at dog parks accept some level of contact between dogs, but that does not mean every dog-park injury is barred, and it does not mean every incident is automatic liability either. We look at the specific facts, including the dog's history and the owner's actions.
The dog was off leash when it attacked me. Does that help my case?
It can. An off-leash dog can support a negligence claim against the owner in addition to any statutory claim, especially if the owner failed to keep control of the dog in a public setting.
What if I don't know who owns the dog that bit me?
Witness information and a description of the dog can help identify the owner. We can also look into whether animal control or other records exist that identify the dog and its owner.
I was treated at Lutheran Hospital after the attack. Does that matter for my claim?
Yes. Medical records from your treatment help document your injuries and connect them to the attack, which supports the damages portion of your claim.
Discuss a Wheat Ridge dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.