Under Colorado’s personal injury laws, the owners of dogs who bite people can be held accountable in personal injury court, but there are also criminal penalties in dog bites. However, if they have acted unlawfully in owning, keeping or using the dog to attack someone, there are certain criminal charges that a dog bite victim can bring against a Colorado dog owner. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a vicious dog in Colorado, especially in cases where there was other criminal activity, you need to contact the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., to hold dog owners liable for their animal’s actions in criminal or civil court.
Colorado Dog Bite Law Overview
In Colorado, an individual who suffers serious personal injury such as torn skin or muscle and broken bones due to a dog bite can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the owner of the dog. Under Colorado dog bite laws, the victims of dog bites must have documented injuries that constitute serious bodily harm.
However, not all circumstances are covered by dog bite laws. Victims are not allowed to hold a dog owner liable under certain circumstances, including:
- If a dog bite victim was trespassing on public or private property;
- The dog bite victim ignored a sign such as “no trespassing” or “beware of dog”;
- The victim was a law enforcement officer or veterinary professional working with a dog as part of job duties;
- The dog bite victim provoked or antagonized the animal.
Criminal Charges For Vicious Dog Owners
While dog bite victims can get justice with the help of a personal injury attorney, there are certain criminal charges they can bring against the dog owner as well, such as:
- Destruction of evidence
- Public nuisance or mayhem
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Manslaughter, second or first degree murder
- Training a dog to attack or knowingly keeping a vicious dog
Criminal Penalties for Dog Bites Under Colorado Personal Injury Law
In certain circumstances, criminal penalties can be brought against the owner of a dog who bites someone. These circumstances include cases where:
- The owner failed to quarantine an animal;
- If the dog owner has insurance like a homeowner’s or pet policy that covers dog attacks, the victim can appeal to the insurance company for compensation;
- If the dog has a history of attacking people or dangerous;
- In certain circumstances, dog bite victims can also get the court to order a dog owner to euthanize their animal following an attack.
Why You Need a Colorado Personal Injury Attorney in Dog Bite Cases
The dedicated dog bite attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., will help you hold negligent or criminal dog owners accountable for their actions and the behavior of their vicious dogs. To find out more, call our law firm for a free consultation, and we will gladly discuss your dog bite case with you.
