Over 30 canine homicides–deaths of people as a result of a vicious dog attack–occurred per year in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. Dangerous and vicious dogs are menace to many otherwise safe neighborhoods. Every state has dog bite laws to hold the owners of these dogs liable for injuries they inflict on innocent people. A Colorado personal injury attorney can explain Colorado’s dog bite laws and advise you of your legal options if you were the victim of a vicious dog attack.
What Constitutes a Dangerous Dog?
A person, animal, thing or activity is considered dangerous if the person, animal, thing or activity poses an unacceptably high risk of serious injury before even causing any harm. In the case of a dog, a dog is considered dangerous if it presents too high a risk of serious injury because of what other dogs in its class have done. A good example is a pit bull. Pit bulls are considered dangerous because of their highly aggressive nature. Pit bulls are a common breed used in “cockpit fights” that involve pit bulls mauling one another, and they are trained to kill. Many dog bite injuries and deaths involved a pit bull. In many cases the pit bull was the family pet who, suddenly and unprovoked, attacked a loved one.
Legally, a dog may be deemed as dangerous or vicious based on its breed, its actions and the action of the owner before or after an official hearing, pursuant to the jurisdiction of the state where the dog and its owner resides. Such dog may be ordered to be confined or may be euthanized. The owner can be fined, jailed or prohibited from owning another dog or engaging in any activity that involves animals. What constitutes a dangerous or vicious dog varies from state to state.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
Dog owners in Colorado can be held liable if their dog seriously injures or kills another person, regardless of whether or not the dog was a vicious or dangerous animal, or whether or not the owner was aware that his dog was dangerous. A dog owner may not be held liable if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog into attacking him or her. A Colorado personal injury attorney can examine all of the events surrounding a dog attack and determine if there was any negligence on the part of the owner. If the owner is found to be negligent or in some other way responsible, the court to may order him either confined his dog or euthanize it at his expense.
How Can a Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Help?
A dog owner may carry homeowner’s insurance, which includes liability coverage for dog bites. Due to policy limits, however, you may not be compensated for all of your pain and suffering if you accept an insurance settlement. The Colorado personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., will see to it that you’re not shortchanged and that dog owners are held accountable for their actions. Call their office for a free initial consultation.
