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A dog bite can leave more behind than physical wounds. Medical treatment, missed work, and the psychological toll of a violent encounter compound quickly after an attack. Cannon Law represents dog bite victims throughout Loveland and the surrounding communities, helping injured people understand their rights and pursue the recovery Colorado law provides. If you or someone you love suffered a serious injury from a dog attack, a Loveland dog bite lawyer from our team is ready to evaluate your case, identify every avenue for compensation, and handle your claim while you focus on healing.
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The decisions made in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affect the strength of a future legal claim. Taking informed steps protects both your health and your right to compensation.
Seek medical attention immediately, even when the bite appears minor. Puncture wounds carry a high risk of infection, and a physician will document the injury and create a medical record that connects the wound to the attack. That documentation matters when an insurance carrier later questions the severity of your injuries.
Report the bite to Larimer County Animal Control or Loveland’s local animal services. An official report creates a government record, identifies the animal, and triggers any required rabies observation. Collect the dog owner’s contact information and insurance details, photograph your injuries and the scene, and gather witness names and phone numbers before leaving.
Refrain from giving recorded statements to any insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters gather information that limits claim value, and early legal representation keeps that process on your terms.
Colorado imposes strict liability on dog owners when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124, a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite while lawfully present on public or private property may bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner, regardless of whether the dog had ever shown dangerous tendencies before.
That point carries real weight. Many states follow a “one bite rule” that shields owners from liability until the animal has demonstrated prior aggression. Colorado does not. An owner cannot avoid responsibility by claiming ignorance of the dog’s behavior, and victims lawfully present at the time of the attack, including guests, mail carriers, neighbors, and passersby, are protected under this framework.
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are subject to caps under the statute unless the victim can demonstrate that the owner knew the animal was dangerous. A Loveland personal injury lawyer can evaluate your circumstances to determine which categories of damages apply and how the statute affects your potential recovery.
Dog bites occur across a wide range of settings in Loveland. Attacks happen at private residences, in apartment complexes and rental properties, along trails near Boyd Lake State Park, in public parks, and in commercial areas where owners bring dogs into shared spaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults living with two or more dogs are five times more likely to be bitten than those without dogs at home, reflecting how frequently attacks occur in familiar domestic environments.
Children face elevated risk in neighborhood settings, where dogs roam yards or approach during outdoor play. Delivery workers, postal carriers, and service professionals encounter unfamiliar animals as a routine part of their jobs, often at properties where owners underestimate how a dog will react to a stranger. The setting of an attack also often determines which insurance policies apply to a claim.
Dog bite claims hinge on proof, and that proof becomes harder to gather as time passes. Our team moves quickly to obtain the animal control report, review any prior complaint history associated with the dog or its owner, and identify applicable insurance coverage, including homeowner’s, renter’s, and umbrella policies.
If nearby businesses or residences have security cameras that may have captured the incident, we send preservation letters promptly to prevent footage from being deleted. Photographs document wound severity before healing obscures the full extent of the injury. Medical records from every treating provider establish the chain of treatment and the cost of recovery. In cases involving nerve damage, scarring, or psychological harm, professional evaluation may be necessary to quantify long-term impact.
Insurance carriers may argue the injury was minor, that the victim provoked the animal, or that the owner lacked knowledge of dangerous tendencies. Thorough evidence collection answers each of those arguments before they gain traction in negotiations.
The financial consequences of a serious dog attack extend well beyond the initial emergency room visit. Colorado law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for a range of losses, including:
Case value depends on injury severity, available insurance coverage, long-term prognosis, and the strength of liability evidence.
Our firm handles every case with the expectation that it may eventually go before a jury. That standard of preparation strengthens every negotiation. We do not accept low settlement offers to close files quickly. We build complete cases, communicate clearly with clients throughout the process, and pursue the compensation our clients are entitled to under Colorado law.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning no legal fees are owed unless compensation is recovered. That arrangement removes the financial barrier to quality representation. Clients receive direct updates, prompt responses to their questions, and honest assessments at every stage.
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A dog attack can disrupt every part of daily life, and the legal process does not have to add to that burden. Cannon Law represents dog bite victims in Loveland as well as Fort Collins, Greeley, and Longmont, providing the same thorough, results-focused representation across Northern Colorado. Contact a Loveland dog bite lawyer from our team today at (970) 471-7170 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.
Sam Cannon is a dedicated personal injury attorney representing individuals against large corporations and insurance companies. As the founder of Cannon Law, he has built his practice around advocating for injured individuals in complex cases, including traumatic brain injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning claims, and insurance bad faith disputes. Years of Experience: 10+ years
Sam Cannon
Colorado Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law
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Colorado does not have a statewide leash law, but Loveland and Larimer County enforce local ordinances requiring dogs to be under control in public spaces. A violation of those local rules can support a negligence claim even when the strict liability statute also applies.
Yes. Colorado’s dog bite statute protects victims who are lawfully present on private property, including invited guests at a friend’s or neighbor’s home. Homeowner’s insurance policies frequently cover dog bite liability, so a viable claim does not require the dog owner to pay out of pocket.
Children have the same right to compensation as adults, and the statute of limitations is tolled until the child reaches age 18. Because children frequently suffer injuries to the face and neck, these claims often involve serious physical and psychological harm that warrants careful legal evaluation.
A landlord may share liability when they know a tenant’s dog poses a danger and fails to take reasonable action. Reasonable action can include enforcing lease provisions that prohibit certain breeds, requiring the tenant to remove the animal, or posting warnings in common areas. This issue arises most often in apartment complexes where management received prior complaints and took no steps to address the risk.
The absence of insurance does not eliminate a legal claim, though it may affect how compensation is collected. Pursuing a judgment against an uninsured dog owner remains possible, and other coverage sources, such as umbrella policies or property owner insurance, may apply. Our team evaluates every available option before advising on realistic next steps.
Most dog bite cases resolve through settlement within several months to a year, though disputed injuries may extend the timeline. Colorado’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, making early legal engagement important for preserving all available options.
Yes. Even a superficial bite should be evaluated by a physician. Dog bites carry a significant risk of bacterial infection, including conditions such as capnocytophaga, and a physician can also initiate any necessary rabies protocol. A medical record created promptly after the attack documents the injury before it heals, which matters considerably if the claim becomes disputed.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (970) 471-7170
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by our team of legal writers following strict editorial guidelines.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (970) 471-7170.
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