Dangerous dog laws, including the dog bite law, vary from state to state, with different definitions and outcomes for owners.
In Colorado, dangerous dog laws are designed to protect the public from dogs that are considered dangerous or vicious. Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-9-204.5, a 'dangerous dog' is defined as one that has inflicted bodily or serious bodily injury on a person or a domestic animal, or has demonstrated tendencies that it is likely to cause such injury. Owners of dangerous dogs are required to take certain precautions, such as keeping the dog securely confined or restrained and obtaining liability insurance. Colorado also has a dog bite law, found in C.R.S. Section 13-21-124, which imposes strict liability on the owner of a dog that causes serious bodily injury or death to a person, regardless of the dog's previous behavior or the owner's knowledge of such behavior. This means that the owner can be held liable even if the dog has never shown aggression before. However, the law does provide exceptions, such as when the victim is unlawfully on the property or is provoking the dog. It's important for dog owners in Colorado to understand these laws and ensure they are in compliance to avoid legal consequences.