Dog parks offer the ideal place for dog owners to take their dog and let them roam leash-free (if they wish) without having to worry too much about traffic and pedestrians. Leash-optional dog parks are not risk-free, however. Dogs and people can and do get injured in dog parks every day. If you were injured by a dog in a dog park in Colorado, you should discuss your case with a Colorado personal injury attorney to see what your options are.
Why Dog Parks Can Be Dangerous
Many dog bites that occur at dog parks are due to poor judgment by the dog owner. Bringing an inappropriate dog to the park is trouble waiting to happen. Overly aggressive, assertive, unruly or under-socialized dogs do not belong in a dog park. Fearful dogs or puppies also should not be brought to a dog park because they may bite out of fear. A dog could get in a fight with another dog and the owners could get bitten trying to break them up.
Establishing Negligence
Negligence may hard to establish in a case that involves a dog attack that occurred in a leash-optional park, because the dog owner isn’t breaking any laws by not having his dog on a leash in an area where a leash isn’t required. Negligence would have to establish on the basis of improper or irresponsible actions by the dog owner that caused the attack, such failing to keep an unruly or aggressive dog on a leash.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
Dog owners are liable when their dog bites and seriously injures someone, whether or not they knew the dog had a tendency to bite or was dangerous, or whether or not they had prior knowledge of the dog’s propensity to be dangerous. A Colorado personal injury attorney specializing in dog bite cases will examine all of the events surrounding your attack and determine if the dog owner exercised poor judgment or failed to properly control his dog.
How a Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Dog attacks leave victims with serious, lasting physical, emotional and psychological scars. The ordeal also affects family members and bystanders who may have witnessed the attack or even hurt as they came to your aid. You owe it to yourself not to accept less than what you deserve for your pain and suffering. Let the capable Colorado personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., help you hold the dog owner accountable and get you fair compensation. You can contact their firm to make an appointment for your free initial consultation.
