There are many adults and children who get bitten by the family pet while playing with them. These bites may or may not cause serious injuries. Then there are those adults and children who suffer serious injuries and sometimes-permanent disfigurement or impairment as a result of dog bites that weren’t just a “bite”. What’s the distinguishing factor between a bite from a playful dog and a dangerous one? Is there really a difference? A Colorado personal injury attorney can explain the difference as it pertains to Colorado’s dog bite laws.
A “Bite” Defined
A “bite” occurs when a dog seizes or closes, or attempts to close, its jaws on someone, something or another animal and the dog’s teeth grips, enters or wounds the person, animal or thing, whether or not the bite breaks the skin. What distinguishes a playful dog bite from a vicious one is the circumstances leading up to the bite. A dog that playfully bites his owner while playing may not be deemed dangerous unless it of a breed that has natural tendency toward aggression, like a pit bull. The same dog that suddenly attacks a family member, unprovoked, may be deemed dangerous regardless of the fact that it never attacked before and is not of a breed that’s naturally aggressive. A dog can cause serious injury without actually biting.
A dog can jump on something or someone can cause an injury by swiping with its teeth or clawing with its paws. Therefore, a personal injury attorney representing a dog bite victim has to determine if the injuries inflicted were caused by biting, clawing or swiping. If it was swiping or clawing, the attorney must look at the events that lead to the injury to determine if the dog’s actions were dangerous.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
A dog owner in Colorado may be held liable if his dog seriously injures another person or child, regardless of whether or not his dog is dangerous or vicious, and whether or not he knew his dog was dangerous. If he found negligent or in some other way liable, he may be ordered to keep his dog confined at all times or to euthanize the dog at his expense.
How A Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
A dog attack leaves deep physical, emotional and psychological wounds that take time to heal and often leave permanent scars. The Colorado personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm will remain sympathetic to your plight while fighting aggressively against negligent dog owners and ensuring you get all the compensation you need to make a full recovery from your ordeal. Contact the firm for your free initial consultation.
