Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws
In 2021, dog attacks led to 81 fatalities nationwide, according to the CDC. While most dog bites don’t result in death, victims often endure serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and recovery time. Colorado’s dog bite laws allow you to hold dog owners accountable for preventable injuries caused by their pets.
Consulting a Colorado dog bite lawyer will provide the guidance you need to pursue legal action. At Boesen Law, we can help: our attorneys have decades of experience building strong cases to secure maximum compensation. The first step is knowing your rights, so in today’s post, we’ll break down all you need to know about the state’s dog bite laws.
Strict Liability and Dog Bite Laws in Colorado
Colorado law imposes strict liability on dog owners in specific circumstances. As outlined in C.R.S. § 13-21-124, owners are held automatically responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether they knew the dog was aggressive.
What Is Strict Liability?
However, strict liability only applies if the victim suffered serious bodily injury or death while lawfully on public or private property. As per C.R.S. § 18-1-901, “serious bodily injury” includes harm posing a substantial risk of death, causing permanent disfigurement, or impairing bodily functions. This includes injuries such as:
- Severe fractures
- Second or third-degree burns
- Organ damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of bodily function and paralysis
- Penetrating wounds
If your injuries meet these criteria, you can pursue economic and non-economic damages for your injuries without needing to prove the owner’s negligence.
The One Bite Rule
In contrast to Colorado’s strict liability, the traditional “one bite rule” followed by some states holds dog owners liable only if they knew or should’ve known about their dog’s aggressive tendencies, often established after a previous bite. Under this rule, the first bite may not result in owner liability unless you demonstrate prior knowledge of the dog’s aggression.
Although strict liability makes it easier for victims to recover compensation, what happens if you suffer a dog bite that causes less severe injuries? In these cases, you can still pursue compensation, and even sue the owner after a dog bite attack, but you must demonstrate owner negligence, such as failing to control the dog or ignoring leash laws.
Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
After a dog bite in Colorado, you can pursue several types of damages to address the cost of your injuries and other losses. Compensation you can recover include:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs: Includes emergency care, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing recovery treatments.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Compensation for income lost during recovery and future limitations on earning potential due to long-term injuries or disabilities.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Encompasses physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma such as PTSD or fear of animals.
- Reduced quality of life: Addresses the incident’s impact on daily activities, hobbies, relationships, and overall well-being.
Defenses in Dog Bite Cases
In cases where strict liability doesn’t apply, dog owners may attempt to avoid liability by presenting specific defenses. For example:
- Provocation or trespassing: Owners might claim the victim provoked the dog or was unlawfully on the property at the time of the attack, eliminating their liability.
- Working dogs: Police and military dogs performing official duties are generally exempt from liability for injuries caused during their work.
Our dog bite attorneys at Boesen Law have extensive experience effectively countering these defenses. We work to build a solid, evidence-backed case that clearly proves liability to protect your right to compensation.
What Happens if a Dog Bites Someone in Colorado?
After a dog bite in Colorado, following these steps will help you build a strong case and prepare for future legal action:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Address injuries promptly to prevent infection and document the extent of harm. This is especially important if the attack involves one of the most dangerous dog breeds.
- Report the incident: Notify local animal control to document the attack and investigate the dog’s vaccination and behavioral history.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of injuries, the dog, and the location. Collect contact information from witnesses and the dog’s owner.
- Document all expenses: Keep records of medical bills, missed workdays, and other costs related to the attack.
- Consult a lawyer: Reach out to a personal injury attorney at Boesen Law to understand your rights and pursue compensation.
Quarantine Requirements for Dogs
When a dog bites someone in Colorado, state law mandates a 10-day quarantine for the animal, regardless of its vaccination status. This period allows authorities to monitor the dog for signs of rabies.
Dog owners must comply with quarantine requirements to avoid legal penalties. To initiate this protocol, you must promptly report the bite to local animal control authorities.
Colorado Statutes and Legal Penalties for Dog Owners
In Colorado, dog owners may face legal consequences under C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5 for owning a dangerous dog that causes harm. Penalties include:
- Civil liability: Victims can file a lawsuit against the dog owner, and courts may order owners to compensate victims for expenses related to the injury.
- Misdemeanor charges: If a dog inflicts bodily injury on a person or domestic animal, the owner may be charged with a misdemeanor, leading to fines and possible jail time.
- Felony charges: If a dog causes serious bodily injury or death to a person, the owner can face felony charges, resulting in more substantial fines and longer imprisonment terms.
- Euthanasia: In severe cases when the dog causes serious injury or death, the court may order the dog to be euthanized.
After a dog bite in Colorado, you don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. At Boesen Law, we’ve helped countless individuals across Colorado to secure substantial settlements, as demonstrated by our case results.
Case Results and Legal Representation
During a free consultation, a lawyer from our team can assess your case, outline the available legal options, and provide you with an estimate of your claim’s potential value. Plus, we don’t charge any fees unless we win your case, so you don’t have to worry about upfront costs.
At Boesen Law, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to securing maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward the recovery you need.
