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A dog bite can change your life in seconds. One moment you are walking through a Colleyville neighborhood near Glade Parks or Heritage Park, and the next you are dealing with deep wounds, a trip to the emergency room, and a stack of medical bills. If a dog attacked you or your child in Colleyville, Texas, you have legal rights, and the abogados de daños personales at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

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Texas Dog Bite Law and How It Applies to Colleyville Victims

Texas follows what is commonly called the “one-bite rule” for dog bite liability. Under this rule, a dog owner can be held liable if they knew, or reasonably should have known, that their dog had a dangerous tendency before the attack happened. This is different from states that hold owners automatically responsible for any bite, regardless of the dog’s history.

Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005 goes further. Under that statute, a dog owner commits a criminal offense if they fail to secure their dog with criminal negligence and the dog makes an unprovoked attack that causes serious bodily injury or death. If the attack causes serious injury, the offense is a felony of the third degree. If the attack causes death, it rises to a felony of the second degree.

Proving the owner’s prior knowledge is the key step in most Colleyville dog bite claims. Evidence can include prior bite reports, complaints filed with animal control, witness statements from neighbors, or any record showing the dog had threatened or attacked someone before. Even a single prior incident of aggressive behavior can be enough to establish that the owner knew the risk.

Texas also recognizes negligence per se claims. If a dog owner violated a leash law or animal control ordinance at the time of the attack, that violation can serve as direct evidence of negligence. Colleyville Code of Ordinances Section 14-4 prohibits any dog owner within city limits from allowing their animal to run at large. A violation of that local rule strengthens your claim considerably.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33 governs comparative fault, which means that if you are found partially responsible for the attack, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your share of fault reaches 51 percent or more, you cannot recover damages at all. This is why having strong legal representation matters from the very beginning of your case.

What the “Dangerous Dog” Designation Means for Your Claim in Colleyville

A dog that has already been labeled “dangerous” under Texas law carries much heavier legal consequences for its owner. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter D, a dangerous dog is one that made an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury in a place other than a proper enclosure, or one that chased or approached a person in an attacking manner in a public place.

Once a dog is designated dangerous, the owner faces strict legal duties. They must register the dog with the local animal control authority, keep the dog in a secure enclosure, and carry liability insurance of at least $100,000. Colleyville Code of Ordinances Section 14-16 requires an injured person to file a report of the attack with the municipal court, which triggers the process for investigating and potentially classifying the dog as dangerous.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.045, an owner who fails to comply with the dangerous dog requirements commits a Class C misdemeanor. If that same owner was previously convicted of the same violation, the offense becomes a Class B misdemeanor. These criminal violations can run alongside a civil injury claim, giving your attorney additional tools to demonstrate that the owner was on notice of the risk.

If the dog was already classified as dangerous before it attacked you, your case is significantly stronger. The owner’s prior knowledge is essentially established by law. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can review the animal control records, court filings, and any prior complaints to determine whether the dog had a history of dangerous behavior before it attacked you.

Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.003 also requires that a court hearing be held no later than 10 days after a warrant is issued following a serious attack. At that hearing, the court can order the dog destroyed if it caused a person’s death, or may order destruction if it caused serious bodily injury. An attorney can help you participate in that process and ensure your interests are represented.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Colleyville Dog Bite?

Dog bite injuries are often more serious than people initially realize. Puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, and infections can require multiple surgeries and months of treatment. In 2024, insurers paid out a total of $1.57 billion for dog-related injury claims nationally, with the average cost per claim reaching $69,272, an 18 percent increase from 2023. These numbers reflect how costly these injuries truly are.

Texas law allows dog bite victims to seek several categories of compensation. Economic damages cover your actual financial losses, including emergency room costs, surgical fees, follow-up treatment, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any lost income from time missed at work. If your injuries are severe enough to affect your ability to earn a living long-term, future lost earning capacity is also recoverable.

Non-economic damages address the human toll of the attack. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are all compensable. Children who are bitten often develop lasting fear responses that affect their daily lives for years. These harms are real, and Texas law recognizes them as recoverable losses.

In cases where the dog owner acted with gross negligence or conscious disregard for public safety, punitive damages may also be available. For example, if an owner repeatedly ignored warnings that their dog was dangerous and still allowed it to roam freely near Colleyville’s walking trails along Glade Creek or near Colleyville Town Center, a court may find that conduct warrants additional punishment beyond compensating the victim.

Property damage is also recoverable if the dog destroyed clothing, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other personal items during the attack. Every element of your loss deserves to be accounted for. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we build thorough claims that reflect the full scope of what you have been through. Call (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team about your case.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Colleyville, Texas

What you do in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affects the strength of your legal claim. Taking the right steps protects your health and preserves the evidence you will need to recover compensation.

First, get medical treatment right away, even if the wound looks minor. Dog bites carry a serious infection risk. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, any dog that bites a person must be quarantined for at least 10 days to monitor for rabies. Your doctor is also required to report the bite to the appropriate local authority. Medical records created at the time of the attack are among the most important evidence in your case.

Second, report the attack to Colleyville Animal Services. You can reach them at 817-743-4522. Filing a formal report creates an official record of the incident and triggers the city’s animal control process. If the dog is later classified as dangerous, that designation strengthens your civil claim.

Third, document everything you can. Take photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, and any visible damage to your property or clothing. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. If the attack happened near a recognizable Colleyville landmark, such as the area around Colleyville Heritage High School or near the Colleyville Nature Center, note that location specifically, since it may help establish that the dog was running at large in a public area.

Fourth, avoid giving recorded statements to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you speak with anyone from the insurance company.

Why Colleyville Dog Bite Victims Choose Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys

Dog bite cases in Texas require a thorough understanding of both state statutes and local ordinances. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles personal injury claims throughout the Denton and North Texas area, including Colleyville, which sits in Tarrant County along the SH-26 corridor between Grapevine and Bedford. Our firm knows this region, and we know how to build strong claims under Texas law.

We investigate every angle of your case. That means pulling animal control records from Colleyville, reviewing any prior complaints filed with the Tarrant County courts, interviewing neighbors and witnesses, and working with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per dog-related claim has risen 174.7 percent from 2015 to 2024, driven by increased medical costs and larger settlements and jury awards. We fight to make sure you receive a recovery that reflects today’s real costs, not a lowball settlement.

Dog bite injuries often connect to broader premises liability issues. If the attack happened on someone else’s property, whether a neighbor’s yard, a rental home, or a commercial property near Colleyville’s retail corridors, the property owner may also share responsibility for your injuries. Our team evaluates every potential source of liability to maximize your recovery.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. That means you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file your lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation entirely. Do not wait. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 today.

Past results in any case depend on the specific facts and law involved and do not guarantee the same outcome in your matter. Every case is different. What we do guarantee is that we will work hard to understand your situation and pursue every available avenue for compensation. The attorney responsible for this content is located at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys’ principal office in Denton, Texas.

FAQs About Colleyville Dog Bite Attorney

¿Existe en Texas una ley de responsabilidad objetiva por mordeduras de perro?

Texas does not follow strict liability for dog bites the way some other states do. Instead, Texas uses the “one-bite rule,” which means you generally need to show that the dog owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous before the attack. However, if the owner violated a leash law or other animal control ordinance, that violation can serve as evidence of negligence and may strengthen your claim significantly without requiring proof of prior bite history.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Colleyville, Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of the dog attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack so that evidence can be preserved and your claim can be filed on time.

¿Y si el perro que me mordió nunca antes hubiera mordido a nadie?

A dog with no prior bite history can still be the basis for a valid claim. If the owner allowed the dog to run at large in violation of Colleyville Code of Ordinances Section 14-4, or if the owner was otherwise negligent in controlling the animal, you may still recover damages under a negligence theory. Additionally, if the owner knew the dog was aggressive or threatening, even without a formal bite record, that knowledge can support your claim under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822.

Can I sue if a dog bit my child at a neighbor’s house in Colleyville?

Yes. If a dog attacked your child at a neighbor’s home, the dog’s owner can be held liable if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Depending on the circumstances, the property owner may also have liability under Texas premises liability law if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from a known hazard. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can review the facts of your child’s case and advise you on all available claims. Call us at (940) 800-2500.

What happens to the dog after it bites someone in Colleyville?

After a dog bite, Texas law requires the dog to be quarantined for at least 10 days to observe for signs of rabies. Under Colleyville Code of Ordinances Section 14-16, an injured person can file a report with the municipal court to request a dangerous dog investigation. If the court determines the dog is dangerous, the owner must meet strict requirements including secure confinement and carrying at least $100,000 in liability insurance. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.003, if the dog caused death, the court must order the dog destroyed. If the dog caused serious bodily injury, the court has discretion to order destruction depending on the circumstances.

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