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What to do after a dog bite? Start by protecting your health. Wash the wound thoroughly with warm, soapy water, press firmly with a clean cloth to slow bleeding, and cover it with a sterile bandage. Seek emergency care for deep or high-risk bites, confirm your current tetanus shot, and ask the dog’s owner for vaccination records, especially rabies. Keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection, such as swelling, fever, or spreading redness.
At Dormer Harpring, we don’t just outline these steps, we step in when victims need someone to stand up against negligent owners and insurance companies, building strong cases that secure the compensation our clients deserve.
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Colorado law outlines two main paths for recovery after a dog bite: strict liability and negligence.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124 (CRS § 13-21-124), an owner can be held strictly liable if their dog causes serious bodily injury or death. Strict liability means the injured person does not need to prove the owner was careless—the statute imposes responsibility. However, it only applies when the injuries rise to a certain severity level, such as fractures, significant scarring, or loss of bodily function.
Recovery may still be possible under negligence or premises liability theories for less severe injuries. In those cases, we demonstrate that the owner failed to act reasonably—for example, by letting the dog roam off-leash in violation of city ordinances or ignoring a known pattern of aggressive behavior.
Damages in dog bite claims often include:
It’s important to note that the statute also contains defenses for owners. If the bite occurred while the victim was trespassing, provoking the dog, or encountering a working animal such as a police K9, compensation may be barred. These defenses make it crucial to have an attorney who can analyze your circumstances and build a strategy to overcome anticipated arguments.
While Colorado law holds dog owners accountable under CRS § 13-21-124, they may raise several defenses to avoid liability. One common argument is provocation—if the victim teased, hit, or otherwise provoked the dog, the statute may not apply.
Owners may also argue that the victim was trespassing or unlawfully on the property when the attack occurred. In addition, Colorado law shields certain working dogs, such as police K9s or animals performing duties like hunting or herding.
Bites in veterinary clinics or kennels may also be treated differently under the statute. These defenses can significantly alter the outcome of a claim, making early consultation with a lawyer essential to evaluate your options and counter arguments raised by the other side.
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Colorado law sets strict deadlines for filing dog bite lawsuits. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-102 (CRS § 13-80-102), most personal injury claims—including dog bites—must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Missing this window usually means losing the right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong the case may be. There are exceptions: when a child is bitten, the timeline can be extended, allowing them to bring a claim after reaching adulthood. An attorney can evaluate your situation, explain where your options truly lie, and take timely steps to protect your claim.
Yes. Reporting is not just recommended—it is a legal requirement. Under CRS § 25-4-603, physicians and other health providers must notify local public health authorities of animal bites so rabies exposure can be tracked and controlled. Many counties and municipalities, including Denver, Boulder, and El Paso, also require that victims or witnesses report the incident directly to animal control.
For victims, filing a report serves several purposes. First, it ensures proper rabies monitoring and, if necessary, quarantine of the animal. Second, it creates an independent and verifiable record of the event. This documentation can be critical later when insurers or defense attorneys try to dispute your version of events. A timely report shows you acted responsibly, sought to protect public safety, and preserved the facts, strengthening your credibility and supporting your claim for compensation.
The first and most urgent step is medical care. Even minor puncture wounds from a dog’s teeth can push bacteria deep into tissue, causing infections that develop quickly. Emergency physicians can clean the wound, determine whether stitches are necessary, and prescribe antibiotics. You should also confirm your tetanus shot is up to date. When bites involve the head, neck, or hands, immediate care is especially critical because these areas are more prone to complications.
Whenever possible, obtain the dog owner’s contact and insurance information. Ask for vaccination records, particularly rabies. Animal control can often secure these records during the investigation if the owner refuses to cooperate. This information allows your attorney to pursue a claim and may spare you unnecessary medical treatment.
Contact your local animal control agency or police department as soon as possible. In Denver, for example, dog bite incidents must be reported to Denver Animal Protection. This step protects public health and helps create a paper trail that supports your legal claim. An official report often carries more weight with insurers than a victim’s statement alone.
Evidence preservation begins the moment the attack occurs. Take photos of the wounds immediately and throughout the healing process. Keep torn or bloodied clothing in a sealed bag rather than washing it. Ask anyone who witnessed the attack to provide a statement. Maintain medical bills, prescription receipts, and records of missed work. While these details are easy to overlook now, they can significantly strengthen your case later.
Insurance adjusters often try to minimize dog bite claims, suggesting the injuries are not severe or attempting to blame the victim. Consulting with an attorney experienced in Colorado dog bite law ensures you are not pressured into a quick, unfair settlement. Our role is determining whether strict liability applies, pursuing negligence claims when necessary, and protecting you from tactics designed to undervalue your suffering.
Understanding what to do after a dog bite is only the beginning—holding careless owners and their insurers accountable takes experienced trial lawyers. At Dormer Harpring, we build powerful cases for dog bite victims across Colorado. Call (303) 747-4404 today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice and complete recovery.
Denver Personal Injury Attorney
Fighting for Justice, Winning Against the Odds
Sean Dormer has built his career on standing up to powerful corporations and insurance companies to get justice for the injured. With a relentless trial-focused approach, he has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients who were turned away by other firms. His expertise has led him to speak at statewide legal conferences and advocate for fairer personal injury laws in Colorado.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney, K.C. Harpring, a Denver personal injury attorney with extensive legal expertise.
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