Denver Dog Bite Lawyer Questions Before You Hire

Preserve evidence before you call a lawyer

What you do in the first hours after a bite can affect any later claim. Use this checklist while details are fresh:

• Photograph the wound, the location, and the dog (if safe).
• Get names and contact information for witnesses.
• Note the dog’s owner, address, and any prior incidents you know of.
• Save medical records, bills, and receipts.
• Report the bite to Denver Animal Protection — it’s required by law.

Under Colorado law, animal bites to humans where the skin is broken must be reported within 12 hours to the local animal control agency where the bite occurred (C.R.S. §25-4-603). In Denver, report via the online Animal Bite Reporting Form or call Denver Animal Protection Dispatch at 720-913-2080. A 10-day quarantine is required for the animal, regardless of rabies vaccine history.

Source: City and County of Denver – Animal Bites and Animal Bite Form (retrieved 2026-10-25).

Questions to compare lawyer experience, scope, and fees

Before you hire, ask direct questions. Use our full question list, but start with these:

We do not publish fee ranges or success rates; those are case-specific and must come from the lawyer you interview.

Colorado’s dog-bite statute: what you should know

Colorado’s strict-liability dog-bite law (C.R.S. §13-21-124, 2024 edition) allows recovery of economic damages when a person suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite while lawfully on public or private property — regardless of the dog’s viciousness or the owner’s knowledge. Lesser injuries are not covered by this strict-liability provision. The statute also lists defenses and exemptions, and it does not prevent other legal theories like negligence.

Source: Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 13, §13-21-124 (2024) — official uncertified printout, retrieved 2026-10-25. Later amendments or current application must be checked with a qualified attorney.

Reporting and local resources

Beyond the bite report, Denver has specific animal ordinances. A “potentially dangerous animal” (DRMC §8-63) requires a permit; owning a “dangerous animal” (DRMC §8-62) is unlawful. Owners may request a hearing within 14 days if their animal is deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous. Denver Animal Protection can be reached at 720-913-1311 (general) or 720-913-2080 (dispatch).

For court information, Colorado District Courts hear civil cases of any amount; County Courts handle cases under $25,000 and small claims. The Judicial Branch offers self-help resources.

Sources: Denver Dangerous Animal Ordinances (PDF) and Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help (retrieved 2026-10-25).

Limits of this resource

We do not provide legal advice, and we do not state deadlines or case values because they are fact-sensitive. Always verify current law and consult a licensed Colorado attorney for your situation. We are not affiliated with any law firm.

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