In 2024, Denver recorded its highest number of dog bite cases reported since 2018. Denver Animal Protection recorded 995 dog attack incidents last year. Behind each of these numbers is a victim who may be left with painful injuries, lasting emotional trauma, and financial challenges.
Dog bites are not limited to aggressive encounters with unfamiliar animals. They can happen in familiar settings, such as parks, and even in a friend’s yard. With the rising cases, it is more important than ever for Denver residents to be familiar with their rights and understand the legal options available to them after a dog bite accident.
By recognizing the growing risks, Denver residents can take steps to protect themselves and their families. Victims can also be reminded of their legal options in pursuing justice. Levine Law dog bite lawyers are here to help guide you through that process.
Most Common Places Dog Bite Can Happen in Denver
Dog bite incidents can occur almost anywhere, but certain environments present higher risks. Local authorities, such as Denver Animal Protection, often notice patterns in where these incidents occur. Knowing the most common locations can help residents stay vigilant in those places.
- Parks and open spaces: Especially when dogs are off-leash or become startled by strangers.
- Neighborhood sidewalks and backyards: Encounters often occur while people are walking, jogging, or passing by their homes.
- Private homes: Even familiar spaces can be dangerous if a dog feels threatened or acts territorial.
- Work environments: Delivery and service workers, such as mail carriers, delivery drivers, and utility workers, are at risk of dog attack when entering private property.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and lasting emotional trauma, no matter where they happen. By understanding the common settings for dog bite incidents in Denver, victims and their families can better recognize how these accidents occur — and why it’s essential to know their legal options for seeking compensation.
Dog Bite Laws in Colorado
Colorado law provides protection for victims of dog attack cases. Under Colorado Revised Statutes 13-21-124, a dog owner can be held strictly liable if their dog causes serious bodily injury or an unfortunate death, regardless of whether the dog has shown aggression before. This means that even if it’s the first time the dog has attacked someone or the “first bite”, owners are responsible for the harm caused.
Victims may seek compensation for both economic damages and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages linked to their injuries. However, the law has exceptions. Trespassing, actions provoking the dog, or dog bites happening in a veterinary clinic may not hold the dog owner liable for your injuries.
Dog owners may also be held liable for negligence if they fail to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog, such as ignoring leash laws and allowing a known dangerous dog to roam without a leash. Denver dog bite lawyers often use such evidence to prove negligence and strengthen injury claims.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Denver
You can be bitten by a dog anywhere or in any situation, even when you expect it the least. Dog bites can be painful and frightening. But knowing the right steps to take will ensure that what you’ve experienced will not go unnoticed.
1. Get Immediate Medical Help
Dog bites can cause skin graze, abrasion, deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, and lead to severe infections if left untreated. Seeking immediate medical care ensures your injuries are properly treated and documented. Even if the wound seems minor, a doctor can check for hidden complications and begin necessary treatment, such as rabies prevention or antibiotics.
2. Report the Dog Bite to the Authorities
Denver requires all dog bites to be reported to the Denver Animal Protection or local law enforcement. Reporting creates an official record of the incident, allowing authorities to investigate whether the dog poses a risk to others. This also creates an official record critical for your dog bite lawyer.
3. Gather Evidence of the Dog Attack
Evidence is crucial in dog bite cases. Document photos of your injuries, the location of the incident, the dog involved, and the owner’s information. If possible, collect witness information and statements. Medical records, incident reports, and proof of expenses also play an important role in building your compensation claim.
4. Consult with a Dog Bite Lawyer
The aftermath of a dog bite can leave victims facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting trauma. An experienced dog bite lawyer can guide you through the legal process, explain your rights under Colorado dog bite law, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Damages You Can Recover After a Dog Bite in Denver
Colorado law allows victims to pursue compensation for the damages caused by a dog attack, helping them rebuild their lives after such a traumatic event. Major damages you can recover from a dog bite include:
Medical Expenses
Dog bite injuries often require immediate treatment, including stitches, wound cleaning, and antibiotics. Severe cases may even need multiple surgeries, physical therapy and long-term rehabilitation. Medical expenses also include the costs of prescriptions, follow-up visits, and potential future care for complications.
Lost of Income
Recovery from a serious dog bite injury may force victims to take time off work, resulting in significant lost income. For some, long-term complications such as nerve damage or mobility issues may prevent them from returning to their job at all and earning the same wages they did before the attack. Compensation covers the past and future loss of earnings.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the physical injuries, dog bites often cause lasting emotional trauma. Victims may experience anxiety around animals, depression, nightmares, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. Colorado law recognizes the physical pain, as well as the emotional and psychological toll, that a dog bite can take.
Contact Our Denver Dog Bite Lawyers Today
If you or your family has been bitten by a dog in Denver, speak with a Denver dog bite attorney to help you with your claim. Dog bite cases can be complex, involving state law, local ordinances, and insurance companies that often try to minimize payouts. Having an experienced lawyer on your side ensures that you’re taking all the right steps in protecting your rights.
Our team has been representing personal injury victims for more than two decades. We understand how devastating these incidents can be, and we are fighting for the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering caused by the attack.
Call Levine Law to schedule a free consultation with a Denver dog bite attorney. Let us take on the legal fight while you focus on rebuilding your life.
Sources:
[1] 9News. Denver sees seven-year high in dog bite reports. https://www.9news.com/article/life/animals/usps-postal-service-mailman-dog-attacks/73-f881ebe0-57d1-4ed2-9d3e-26af82f5d5c6
[2] Colorado Revised Statutes 13-21-124. Civil actions against dog owners. Retrieved from https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_13-21-124
[3] City and County of Denver. Animal bites. https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment/Epidemiology-and-Disease-Intervention/Animal-Bit
