Dog Attacks

Colorado Dog Bite Defense Lawyer

At The Animal Law Firm, our Colorado dog bite defense lawyers see lots of amazing, well-meaning owners who find themselves on the receiving end of a citation from Animal Control for a dog bite. The Animal Law Firm is one of the few dog bite defense firms in the country. So if you are given a criminal citation or sued in civil court for money damages for your dog allegedly biting someone, call us today at 303-623-4000 for a free 30 minute consultation on how we can help protect you and your dog!

You may do what you can to make sure your dog never attacks a person, but these incidents happen all the time, and it can happen even with a dog that has never bitten before. If your dog is accused of biting someone or another dog, you should know that you could be held liable for a dog bite injury either in criminal court with criminal penalties, or in civil court with money damages. Therefore, you should know what steps you should take right away.

It is critical that you keep your cool if your dog gets into a fight with another dog. It is easy to immediately want to defend your dog or get confrontational in these high-energy incidents, but, as the saying goes: “cooler heads prevail.”

Get contact information from any witnesses that saw what happened.

Witnesses can help identify whether your dog was provoked or not, thus increasing your chances of a good defense if this goes to court.

When animal control reaches out to you, cooperate with them and provide vaccination records and licensing records, if and when you are asked. If you do not have them on hand, let the officer know you will contact your vet and provide and copy as soon as your vet gives it to you. DO NOT MAKE ANY STATEMENTS to the animal control officer about what happened. The LESS YOU SAY, THE BETTER! An animal control officer at your door means he/she is about to issue you a citation for dangerous dog or animal attack. Statements made to Animal Control could be fatal for your dog.

A civil case where another lawyer sends you a letter or a complaint (a formal written document outlining how you and your dog were at fault) means you are being sued for money. Typically, your renter’s or home owner’s insurance can handle this and pay out the claim. But, if you do not have insurance, you will need a dog bite defense attorney because your assets will be at risk in a lawsuit. Even worse, a civil case can also give the complaining party the power to have your dog euthanized!

If you receive a citation from animal control, call our Colorado animal lawyers at The Animal Law Firm at 303-623-4000 in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and surrounding areas.