Attorneys
Dog bite injuries can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims. Understanding how to prevent dog attacks, respond safely during encounters, and protect your legal rights after can have a large impact on your future.
Understanding Why Dogs Attack: The Foundation of Prevention
Preventing dog bite injuries starts with understanding canine behavior and the circumstances that trigger aggression. Dogs bite for three primary reasons: dominance, defense, and security.
The Three Main Reasons Dogs Bite
Dominance-based aggression:
Often targets vulnerable individuals, particularly small children. Dogs may attack young children to establish dominance, viewing them as easy targets within the pack hierarchy. This type of aggression is particularly concerning for families with young children who may not recognize warning signs.
Defensive aggression:
Occurs when dogs protect their territory, possessions, or owners. Dogs are naturally territorial animals that will defend what they perceive as theirs, whether that's property boundaries, food, toys, or their family members. Both male and female dogs often show territorial behavior. Entering a dog’s space can trigger aggression.
Security-based aggression:
Manifests when dogs feel threatened or distrusted by a person. When a dog senses danger or feels insecure, it may strike preemptively to protect itself. This defensive mechanism is deeply rooted in canine survival instincts.
Circumstances That Increase Dog Bite Risk
Beyond these core motivations, specific circumstances make dogs more likely to attack or bite. Recognizing these situations can help Iowa residents avoid dangerous encounters.
Fear-driven attack: The dog can feel scared and cannot escape.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, fear aggression is one of the most common triggers for dog bites. When escape isn't an option, a frightened dog may attack as a defense mechanism. Notably, fearful dogs often attack from behind, making it important to always face a dog you sense may be scared.
Territorial protection: This is more than just property boundaries.
It also includes possessions and even people. Dogs may become aggressive when you approach their food, bones, toys, or when they perceive a threat to their human family members. In the wild, dogs travel in packs and protect one another, and this instinct remains strong in domestic dogs.
Protective instincts: Triggers when dogs sense their owners or puppies are in danger.
A dog that believes its family is threatened may react aggressively to defend them, even if there is no perceived threat from a human perspective.
Provocation and endangerment: This can cause even typically docile dogs to display defensive aggression.
Taunting, teasing, or attacking a dog, or making the dog feel endangered in any way, can be extremely dangerous. Dogs can be unpredictable, and it is never recommended to upset or provoke any dog.
Prevention Strategies That Work
- Maintain an appropriate distance from unfamiliar dogs. One of the most effective ways to avoid dog bite injuries is simply staying away from dogs you don't know. This creates a safe distance and reduces the risk of triggering territorial or fear-based aggression.
- Never run from an aggressive dog. Running triggers a dog's chase instinct and can escalate aggression. Dogs are significantly faster than humans, making running away nearly impossible. Remaining calm gives you a better chance to avoid attack.
- Remain calm and still when interacting with unfamiliar dogs. Sudden movements can startle dogs or be seen as threatening. Stillness and calm demeanor help de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
- Don't disturb preoccupied dogs. Whether eating, sleeping, caring for puppies, or playing with toys, dogs that are focused on activities may react aggressively if startled or interrupted.
- Never approach dogs from behind. Approaching this way can startle dogs and trigger defensive or fear-based attacks. Always make sure dogs are aware of your presence before getting close.
What to Do When Approached by an Unfamiliar Dog
Hold still immediately. When approached by an unfamiliar dog, the worst response is making sudden movements or running. Holding still and staying calm is key to staying safe. If you remain calm enough, slowly and steadily back away from the dog while continuing to face it, never turning your back to the dog.
Use Appropriate Body Language
Many people instinctively try to soothe approaching dogs by smiling or reaching out to pet them. However, these actions can be dangerous if the dog is aggressive.
Never make direct eye contact with an unfamiliar dog, as dogs interpret eye contact as aggressive body language. You don't have to make yourself completely blind to the dog's movements, but turning your head and watching from the corner of your eye demonstrates submissive behavior that dogs recognize.
Never reach out to touch the dog or extend your hand toward it. This movement can be seen as threatening.
Never smile at an unfamiliar dog. Dogs may interpret a human smile as baring teeth, which signals aggression in canine communication.
Never use aggressive or threatening tones when speaking. If attempting to calm the dog, use a gentle, soothing tone rather than loud or harsh sounds.
Recognizing Warning Signs of Attack
- Tensing its body
- Raising the hair on its neck and back (raising its hackles)
- Opening its eyes wide so that the whites are visible (whale eye)
- Backing away while maintaining focus on you
- Flattening its ears against its head
If you notice any of these signs, calmly and immediately give the dog space. Sometimes, providing sufficient distance is all that's needed to prevent an attack.
Responding to Dog Bite Attacks
Despite all precautions, dog attacks can still occur. Knowing how to respond during and after an attack can minimize injuries and protect your legal rights.
During an Attack
- Never fight back by hitting or kicking. According to safety experts, fighting back encourages dogs to attack harder and more aggressively.
- Put something between you and the dog. Use any available item, a purse, sweatshirt, backpack, or jacket, as a barrier.
- Protect your head and face if on the ground. If knocked down, immediately roll into a fetal position and cover your head and neck with your arms. This can also protect you from more serious injury.
- Never try to pull away from a biting dog. Pulling triggers the dog's natural instinct to bite down harder and shake, causing more severe tissue damage.
After an Attack
- Seek immediate medical attention. Dog bite injuries can cause serious complications, including infections, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and disease transmission. Getting a medical evaluation and treatment is essential, even for seemingly minor wounds.
- Alert the dog's owner about the attack as soon as possible. Document their contact information and any statements they make.
- Contact animal control immediately. Reporting the attack creates an official record and helps protect others from future attacks by the same animal.
- Document everything. Take photographs of your injuries, torn clothing, and the location of the attack. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation of missed work or other damages.
- Consult with an experienced Iowa dog bite attorney. Legal counsel can help you understand your rights and ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries.
Your Legal Rights Under Iowa Dog Bite Law
Iowa residents who suffer dog bite injuries have strong legal protections that hold dog owners accountable for attacks.
Iowa's Strict Liability Standard
Iowa operates under a strict liability legal framework for dog bites, codified in Section 351.28 of the Iowa Code. This means dog owners are automatically liable for damages when their dog bites someone, provided the victim was not committing an illegal act at the time of the attack.
Unlike some states that require proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had a history of biting, Iowa law protects victims regardless of the dog's history or the owner's knowledge.
Recoverable Damages in Iowa Dog Bite Cases
Medical expenses:
Include emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and any future medical care related to the injuries. Dog bites often require extensive treatment, particularly when they affect the face, hands, or other sensitive areas.
Lost wages:
Covering income lost during recovery, as well as reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to work at the same level.
Pain and suffering:
This compensation addresses the physical pain endured during and after the attack, as well as ongoing discomfort from permanent injuries.
Emotional distress and psychological trauma:
Recognizing that dog attacks often cause lasting emotional harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety around dogs, and other psychological effects. Many victims, particularly children, require ongoing counseling to address trauma from dog attacks.
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Compensation can address both the physical scarring and the emotional impact of permanent disfigurement, especially facial injuries
The Importance of Legal Representation
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize claims or deny liability, even when Iowa law clearly protects victims.
Experienced Iowa dog bite attorneys understand the physical and emotional trauma victims experience after dog attacks. They can help recover compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent scarring, and emotional distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
The experienced dog bite attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have helped countless Iowa residents recover the compensation they deserve after dog attacks. They understand Iowa dog bite law, know how to build strong cases, and fight to ensure victims receive fair treatment from insurance companies.
For the complete list of things you should do if bitten by a dog, you can request our FREE book, "Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites- Secrets to Not Get Bitten by Your Case" which is available to you with no risk or obligation by clicking here or by calling 641-792-3595.
Why offer a Free Dog Bite Book? Since 1997, I have been representing injured Iowans, including many dog bite victims from central Iowa and throughout the state. I have heard too many horror stories about people making costly mistakes, causing them to lose thousands of dollars. Before you talk to the insurance company you should know your rights and perhaps more importantly your responsibilities.
If you need immediate assistance, contact us online, chat here, or call us at (641) 792-3595. We have fully staffed offices in Des Moines, Newton, Ankeny, and Marshalltown. If you are not local to us, we will come to you.
