Understanding the Colorado One Bite Rule
If you own a dog or know others who do, especially if any of these are breeds with reputations for being aggressive or dangerous, you may have heard of Colorado’s one-bite rule. But what exactly does the one-bite rule entail for dog owners? Are there no second chances for dogs who get aggressive just one time? And what happens during a legal battle involving a dog bite?
If you’re concerned and want to learn more about Colorado’s one-bite rule, Mintz Law Firm can help break down the basics into simple terms. Generally speaking, if an owner’s dog bites and causes a severe injury to another party, that owner will be responsible for paying any damages the victim suffers. This is regardless of other circumstances. The rule can be stressful because it may result in the dog’s euthanization at the owner’s expense, though this is not always necessary in every case.
What Is Colorado’s One Bite Rule?
In Colorado, the one-bite rule dictates that an owner will always be responsible for their dog’s dangerous behavior. Other states give more flexibility about an animal’s actions, often stating that a dog is not dangerous until they do something that can cause serious harm. However, Colorado law explains that a dog owner doesn’t necessarily need to have previous knowledge of their pet’s dangerous behavior to be liable for an accident or incident.
Furthermore, dog owners can be held liable for many dangerous behaviors. In addition to bites, owners may be responsible for injuries that people incur due to a dog lunging, jumping, scratching, or other hazardous activities. Keeping note of the dog’s behavior, including complaints from neighbors, can help owners warn others about the dog’s capacity to do harm in order to keep people safe.
Often, warning signs and indications to others that they should be cautious can reduce the level of liability, as the harmed individuals may then be more easily perceived as negligent in their behavior. This is because the owner has warned them that interacting with a dog could result in harm, but they have chosen to engage anyway.
When is Euthanization Necessary?
Euthanization of a dog is not always necessary, especially in cases where an injured individual was adequately warned or the animal does not have a history of causing severe harm. However, it is always possible that euthanasia will be required due to harmful events.
Who Should Work With a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer?
If you are the victim of a severe dog bite or attack, we recommend you work with a dog bite injury lawyer. Working with a talented and qualified attorney can help you ensure you receive compensation for any qualifying damages, even if you did receive a warning from the dog’s owner. Your attorney can also speak on your behalf, mitigate mistakes, and take on legal tasks so you can focus on recovery.
Please avoid representing yourself during your legal matters, as you may risk losing the compensation you rightfully deserve. Instead, working with a Colorado dog bite injury lawyer from Mintz Law Firm will ensure you are represented fairly. We can also reduce stress, hold liable parties accountable for their actions, and maintain the value of your injury claims.
Get the Support You Need With Mintz Law Firm’s Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
If you have been bitten or attacked by a dangerous dog, you can get invaluable support during legal matters and win compensation for your losses. Instead of managing your case alone, Mintz Law Firm can help you in the same way we’ve helped multiple other victims and survivors. Our clients trust us to bring them fantastic results, and we have a track record of winning them the compensation they need to focus on recovery.
When you get in touch with us, we will be more than happy to answer your questions, clarify any of your concerns, or schedule a free consultation with one of our Colorado dog bite attorneys. Please don’t hesitate to connect with us by calling (303) 462-2999 or completing the contact form on our website.