What Is the Dangerous Dog Law in Colorado?
Colorado has a dangerous dog law which allows a dog to be classified as dangerous if it causes serious injury to a person or another animal. If you’ve been injured in an attack by a dangerous dog, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages in a dog bite lawsuit.
Under this law, an animal may be classified as a dangerous dog if it:
- Severely injures or kills a person or domestic animal
- Has a history of aggressive behavior
- Is specifically trained to engage in illegal dog fighting
The Colorado dangerous dog law makes it illegal to own a dangerous dog, and owners may face criminal charges. The prosecuting attorney can decide whether to bring misdemeanor or felony charges based on the following factors:
- Whether the dangerous dog attacks another person, animal or personal property
- The severity of the injuries inflicted by the dog
- Whether the dog has been involved in other attacks in the past
In general, most first offenses by a dangerous dog will be considered a misdemeanor. However, if the dog attack results in the death of an individual, it will automatically be treated as a felony. Criminal penalties under Colorado’s dangerous dog law can be severe and may potentially include expensive fines, imprisonment and restitution of damages to the injured victim.
Will a Dangerous Dog Be Euthanized After an Attack?
Depending on the seriousness of the attack, a dangerous dog may be euthanized. This is often required when animal control determines that the dog is too dangerous to be released to the owner.
Do You Have to Report a Dog Bite in Colorado?
It’s understandable that you may not want to report a dog bite and cause the animal to be classified as a dangerous dog. However, under Colorado dog bite law, you’re required to report a dog bite attack to animal control, regardless of whether you’ve suffered a serious injury. The reason why you are required to report an attack is so that your local animal control agency is able to track any dogs in the area which may be considered dangerous.
To file a dog bite report in Denver, you can call Denver Animal Protection at (720) 913-1311. You can also file your report online. When filing your dog bite report, you’ll be asked to provide the following details to your local animal control agency:
- Name of the dog owner or person responsible for the dog at the time of the attack
- Description of the dog (breed, size, etc.)
- Location of the attack
- A detailed summary of what happened during the dog bite attack
Pushchak Law Can Help You Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite
Colorado has strict liability laws in dog bite cases. This means the dog’s owner is responsible for any damages you suffer in an attack, even if the owner didn’t act negligently. If you’ve been injured in a dog bite attack, Pushchak Law can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Brian Pushchak has made dog bite cases a primary focus of his practice. He understands how Colorado dog bite laws, including the dangerous dog law, impact your case. This specialization gives you the edge you need to maximize the value of your compensation.
In addition, Mr. Pushchak’s unique Informed Decisions™ Approach keeps you in control of the entire process and is focused on helping you get the best possible outcome to your case. Mr. Pushchak will listen carefully to you to understand the details of the attack and identify your goals for your case. He’ll explain your rights and options in detail, and you’ll have a chance to ask any questions you may have. While Mr. Pushchak will recommend the best strategy to achieve your goals for the case, you will always have the final say on the strategy used for your claim.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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Been Attacked By a Dog - Free Consultation
If you have suffered an injury due to a dog attack, learn what options you have. We offer free, no-obligation consultations over the phone. Call 303-372-6145 or fill out our form.
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