Teller County · Non-bite dog attacks
Woodland Park Dog Attack Lawyers
Knocked down or chased by a dog in Woodland Park? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When the Injury Isn't a Bite
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, applies to bites. When a dog knocks someone down, chases them, or scratches them without breaking skin, that harm generally falls outside the statute and becomes a negligence claim instead. That means the analysis shifts from strict liability to whether the owner acted reasonably.
A dog does not have to sink its teeth in to cause real harm. A knockdown can lead to broken bones or a head injury. A chase can send someone into traffic or off a bike. These are possible outcomes we look at closely, not damages we promise, and every case depends on its own facts.
Because these claims run on negligence rather than strict liability, we look at whether the owner kept control of the dog, whether the dog was off leash or otherwise loose, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent the encounter. If teeth also broke the skin during the same incident, the bite statute may apply to that part of the injury, and we sort out which facts fall under which legal theory rather than force everything into one box.
Building a Negligence Case
Non-bite attack cases live or die on the details of control and circumstance. We want to know where the dog was kept, whether a leash or fence failed, whether the owner had any warning the dog might behave this way, and what the dog was doing in the moments before the knockdown or chase. Witness accounts of the dog running loose or lunging matter as much as any physical injury record.
Medical documentation still matters even without a bite wound. Records showing a fall, a fracture, a head strike, or torn ligaments help connect the dog's behavior to the harm. We gather those records along with photos of the scene, leash or fencing conditions, and any prior incident history involving the same dog or owner.
- Get medical attention for falls, fractures, or head impact, even without a bite wound
- Photograph the scene, including any leash, gate, or fence involved
- Get names and contact information for anyone who saw the dog loose or chasing
- Write down what the dog was doing before and during the incident while it's fresh
- Note the owner's name and address, and whether the dog has attacked before
Woodland Park Cases We Handle
Loose dogs and chase incidents come up along U.S. Highway 24 and Colorado Highway 67, where traffic and open space combine to make a running dog especially dangerous. We've also looked at cases near Baldwin Street, Midland Avenue, and out toward Manitou Springs, where residential yards and foot traffic put people and unleashed dogs in close contact.
These cases sit under Teller County Combined Courts and often involve treatment at UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital for injuries like fractures or head trauma from a fall. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, and we meet with Woodland Park clients to go over what happened and how the negligence framework applies to their situation.
Possible Losses to Consider
- Medical costs for fractures, sprains, or head injury treatment
- Costs tied to torn ligaments or orthopedic care
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and physical limitations from the fall or impact
- Ongoing fear of dogs affecting daily routines
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Woodland Park — 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.
Woodland Park Non-bite dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog bite statute cover a knockdown with no bite?
Generally no. C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 is written around bites, so a knockdown, chase, or scratch without broken skin typically falls under ordinary negligence law instead. That changes what we have to prove but doesn't mean there's no case.
What do I have to prove in a negligence claim like this?
We look at whether the owner kept reasonable control over the dog, whether it was off leash or unsupervised, and whether that failure led to the attack. It's a different standard than strict liability, so the facts about control and warning signs matter more.
What if the dog bit me and also knocked me down?
Both legal theories can apply to different parts of the same incident. We sort out which injuries came from the bite and which came from the fall or chase, and build the claim around both where it fits.
Can a chase that caused a fall or car accident still be a claim?
Yes, if the owner's failure to control the dog led to someone falling, swerving, or getting hit, that can support a negligence claim. We'd look at how the dog got loose and what the owner could have done differently.
Do I need proof the dog attacked someone before?
Prior incidents can help show the owner should have known the dog posed a risk, but they aren't required to bring a claim. Current facts about control and reasonable care carry the case on their own.
Discuss a Woodland Park dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.