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What Earns a Dog a Death Row Sentence in Colorado?

Everyone knows a dog bite can get a dog and its owner thrown in the dog house with the law. But, for the average dog owner, the severity and number of times their dog has bitten might be a detail easily forgotten. It shouldn’t be. Your dog’s conduct, the number of times it has reportedly bitten people, and the severity of wounds can all be contributing factors to earning your dog a death row sentence.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, every year 6 to 8 million unwanted dogs and cats sit on death row in U.S. shelters. Half of those end up euthanized, due to the fact that not enough of them are rescued.1

What is the Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Cases?

What Earns a Dog a Death Row Sentence in Colorado? | Denver Dog Bite Lawyers

What Earns a Dog a Death Row Sentence in Colorado? | Denver Dog Bite Lawyers

Each state has a little different take on their dog bites laws. Here’s the low-down on statute of limitations concerning dog bites in Colorado:

  • People have two years from the date the dog bite and subsequent injury occurred to file a personal lawsuit.
  • Anyone filing a lawsuit after the two years’ statues of limitations runs out, the Colorado courts will dismiss the lawsuit without giving it any consideration.

Dog Owner Liability and Negligence Laws

In the United States, state legislators use either a strict liability or a negligence rule for deciding dog bite laws. Colorado law combines the two justifications. The strict liability portion of the law contends that a dog owner doesn’t necessarily have to know about or have knowledge that their dog is aggressive. So, the owner is literally held liable by virtue of mere ownership of the dog.

Additionally, in order for the strict liability law to apply, the person bit and injured must be public property or lawfully on private property when the injury happened. Serious bodily injury will also have to be proven. Let’s take a look at what Colorado defines serious bodily injury as:

  • There is substantial chance or risk of death
  • There is a substantial chance or risk of serious permanent disfigurement
  • There is a loss of function of any part or organ in the body
  • Broken bones, fractures, or burns of 2nd or 3rd degree occurred

In Colorado, when the dog bite case isn’t that serious or seemingly deadly in nature, the negligence rule applies. In these cases, the plaintiff must show or prove that the owner failed to use reasonable care to restrain or control the dog. The negligence rule can also be used in cases involving dogs, where dog bites did not occur. For instance, if a large dog knocks over an older person causing injury.

One Dog Bit Rule

In Colorado, if the plaintiff can prove that the dog owner had prior knowledge that a dog has a vicious or aggressive in nature, he or she can file a motion for the vicious dog to be euthanized. If you have been injured by a dog, it is best to speak with Denver dog bite lawyers to begin building a strong case to seek monetary compensation for damages.

Contact Denver Dog Bite Lawyers at Warshauer McLaughlin Law Group

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured, or possibly even disfigured, by a dog bite? If so, you should contact our experienced Denver Dog Bite Lawyers at Warshauer McLaughlin Law Group to advocate for your justice. Let us work on building a strong case, so you can heal. We’ll work tenaciously to get you as much compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any other loss you might have incurred. Call 720-420-9800 today, to set up a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

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1“Rescuing Pets From “Death Row”” published in Denver Post, Jan. 2006.

All consultations are free. Contacting our firm to discuss your potential case does not result in any expense to you.

1890 North Gaylord Street Denver, CO 80206 (720) 420-9800