Atlantic Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

What to Do Right After a Dog Attack in Iowa

The moments following a dog bite or attack are chaotic, but the actions you take can have a significant impact on your safety and the strength of any future injury claim. The first priority is always securing your safety. Separate yourself from the animal and move to a secure location if necessary.

Once you are safe, you should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water if it is available. From there, seek medical attention from a doctor or emergency room, even if the wound appears minor. Many serious complications from dog bites, including infections and nerve damage, are not immediately obvious.

After addressing your immediate medical needs, you should call animal control or a local police department to report the dog attack. Reporting is especially important when the attack results in serious injury, when the dog is not contained, or when the animal appears sick and poses a continued threat to others in the community.

In addition to notifying authorities, collect as much information as possible about the dog, the dog's owner, the specific circumstances of the attack, and any eyewitnesses who observed what happened. This information becomes valuable if you decide to pursue a dog bite injury claim.

Why Reporting the Attack to Police or Animal Control Matters

Some victims hesitate to report a dog attack, especially when the dog belongs to a neighbor or someone they know. However, filing an official report serves several important purposes that go well beyond the immediate incident.

Under Iowa Code 351.28, the owner of a dog is liable to an injured person for damages caused by the dog. An official police or animal control report can help establish the circumstances of the incident and support the evidence needed to hold the responsible owner accountable.

An experienced Atlantic dog bite attorney can use the official report, along with other gathered evidence, to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the incident, establish owner liability, and present a claim for the damages you deserve. The documentation you create in the immediate aftermath of the attack is often the foundation of a successful personal injury case.

Iowa's Rabies Vaccination Law and What It Means for Dog Bite Victims

One of the first concerns many dog bite victims have after an attack is whether the dog was vaccinated, particularly for rabies. This is not just an understandable worry; it is a question with serious medical and legal implications.

Iowa Annotated Statute Section 351.33 requires dog owners to vaccinate their dogs against rabies. The statute makes it unlawful for any person to own or have possession of a dog six months of age or older that has not been vaccinated. Violating this requirement is a simple misdemeanor offense in Iowa.

The importance of this law cannot be overstated. In the early 1900s, more than 100 people per year died from rabies infections. That number dropped to one or two deaths annually by the 1990s, a reduction largely driven by vaccination requirements that help prevent human rabies infection after a dog bite.

Who Is Exempt from Iowa's Rabies Vaccine Requirement?

Iowa law does recognize limited exemptions to the rabies vaccination requirement. A dog may be exempt if it is under six months of age, if it is kept in a kennel and not allowed to run at large, if it is passing through Iowa and will be in the state for fewer than 30 days, if it is in the state for exhibition purposes for fewer than 30 days, or if it is assigned to a research facility.

Even when a dog falls into one of these exempt categories, responsible owners are encouraged to keep their animals vaccinated. An unvaccinated dog that encounters a rabid wild animal can become infected, creating a serious risk for anyone the dog subsequently contacts.

How the Vaccination Is Administered and Documented

Iowa law requires that only licensed veterinarians administer the rabies vaccine, and the vaccine must be approved by the state department of agriculture and land stewardship. After vaccination, the veterinarian issues a certification of vaccination that the owner must keep available as proof. The vet also issues a rabies tag that must be attached to the dog's collar at all times.

If a dog that attacks you does not have a current vaccination tag and its owner cannot produce proof of vaccination, this is information your Atlantic dog bite attorney needs to know. It may affect the urgency of your medical treatment decisions and the overall picture of owner responsibility in your case.

If an unvaccinated dog is found running at large, local authorities or law enforcement can impound the animal. The owner then has one week to retrieve the dog and provide evidence of vaccination or have the dog vaccinated immediately. Failure to do so results in the dog being euthanized.

The Long-Term Effects of a Dog Attack in Iowa

Far too many people underestimate the lasting consequences of a dog bite. While some attacks result in minor wounds that heal quickly, others leave victims with injuries and trauma that persist for years or even a lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 27,000 people in a single recent year were victims of dog attacks that required reconstructive surgery. Additionally, roughly one in five people bitten by a dog, approximately 885,000 people each year, requires medical attention.

Understanding the full range of long-term dog attack effects is essential when calculating the compensation you deserve.

Physical Disfigurement and Disability

Not every dog bite results in permanent injury, but severe attacks can cause lasting physical consequences. Victims may be left with permanent scarring, partial or full paralysis, ongoing mobility problems, or in the most serious cases, the loss of a limb. Plastic or reconstructive surgery can address some forms of physical disfigurement, but conditions like paralysis cannot always be corrected.

When physical disfigurement or disability is permanent, the victim must adapt to an altered life with ongoing medical needs, potential limitations on employment, and daily challenges that extend far into the future. All of these factors should be reflected in a comprehensive injury claim.

Mental and Emotional Trauma After a Dog Attack

The psychological toll of a dog attack is just as real as the physical injuries, though it is sometimes overlooked. Many victims, and children in particular, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following an attack. According to the VA National Center for PTSD, the effects of trauma on children and adolescents can include fear, worry, stress and anger, feelings of loneliness, aggression, self-harm, and impulsive behavior. Some children may also act out the incident during play, exhibit unusual behavior, or develop an attachment disorder that shows up as extreme distress when separated from a parent.

For adult victims, nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and significant anxiety are common responses to a traumatic dog attack. These symptoms can interfere with work, relationships, and everyday quality of life. Mental health treatment, including therapy and counseling, may be a necessary and ongoing expense that should be factored into any injury claim.

Infections and Disease Following a Dog Bite

While it is relatively rare, dog bites can transmit serious infections and disease. Rabies is perhaps the most well-known risk, and if left untreated, it can be fatal. Wound infections that are not promptly treated can spread throughout the body and lead to severe health consequences including disfigurement, sepsis, amputation, loss of function, or even death.

This is why seeking medical attention immediately after a bite is non-negotiable, and why knowing the vaccination status of the dog that attacked you matters so much. An unvaccinated dog creates a more complicated medical situation that may require additional treatment and monitoring.

Iowa Dog Bite Law and Owner Liability

Iowa law places the responsibility for a dog's conduct squarely on the dog's owner. Under Iowa Code 351.28, a dog owner is liable to an injured person for the damages caused by the dog. This strict liability standard means that a victim generally does not need to prove the dog had a prior history of aggression in order to bring a successful claim.

When a dog attack results in serious injury, victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, costs of ongoing treatment, and more. An experienced Atlantic dog bite attorney will evaluate all of the circumstances surrounding your attack, gather evidence, and help ensure that the full value of your losses is accounted for in your claim.

Children and Dog Bites: A Particularly Vulnerable Population

Children are among the most frequent victims of dog attacks and often suffer the most severe consequences. A young child attacked by a dog may sustain wounds to the face, head, and neck simply because of their smaller stature and height relative to a dog. Beyond the physical injuries, children who are attacked by dogs face a heightened risk of developing PTSD and attachment disorders that can affect their emotional development, school performance, and social functioning for years.

Parents of children who have been attacked by dogs in Atlantic or elsewhere in Iowa should work with a dog bite attorney who understands how to account for both the immediate and long-term damages a child may face, including the cost of ongoing counseling and the impact of permanent scarring on a young person's future.

When to Contact Atlantic Dog Bite Lawyers

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 or call us at (641) 792-3595. If you are not local to us, we will come to you.

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