Keokuk Dog Bite Attorneys: Protecting Injured Iowans and Their Children

Dog bite attacks happen without warning, and the consequences can follow a victim for years. For children, the effects can be especially severe, reaching far beyond the initial physical wounds and touching every area of their development, from emotional health to academic performance. If you or your child has been attacked by a dog near Keokuk, Iowa, understanding the law, knowing how breed classifications affect your claim, and learning what steps to take to protect your rights are all essential parts of moving forward.

Children Are the Most Frequent Dog Bite Victims in the United States

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are close to 4.5 million dog bites in the United States every single day, and about half of those bites involve children. The age group that receives the most dog bites is children between five and nine years old.

A dog bite is a frightening experience for any adult. For a child, the trauma is increased significantly because of the dog's comparable size relative to the child. The months and even years following a dog bite attack on a child can be marked by physical complications, emotional upheaval, and long-term psychological consequences that are just as real and just as serious as the wounds themselves.

The Physical Effects of a Dog Bite on a Child

Children are far more susceptible to serious injury from a dog attack than adults. A child's skin is not as tough, and children are more likely to suffer broken bones from a dog bite attack. Because dogs and small children are often similar in size, attacks tend to target the face and head. The most common physical injuries a child sustains when a dog bites include:

• Ripped scalp
• Torn ears
• Injuries to the mouth
• Eye injuries

Even when these injuries appear to have healed on the surface, they may leave behind lasting damage. A severed nerve, for example, can result in weakened facial muscles that cause a drooping appearance or impede normal facial expressions. These are not minor inconveniences. They are permanent changes to a child's appearance and function that can affect self-confidence and social development for a lifetime.

Scarring is another significant long-term physical effect of a dog bite injury. A dog's bite can inflict deep wounds that reach not just the upper layer of skin but down into the flesh and bone. When those wounds heal, they often leave behind bumpy, disfiguring scars. Reconstructive surgery can help restore a child's appearance to some degree, but some scarring may remain even after multiple procedures. Other types of facial injuries involving both skin and bone may continue to cause disfigurement as the child grows, including the loss of facial symmetry.

The Emotional Consequences of a Dog Bite Attack

While a child may learn over time to live with the physical effects of a dog bite, the emotional consequences can be equally persistent and devastating. Research reported by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology identifies a wide range of long-term emotional reactions that children commonly experience following a dog attack, including:

• Separation anxiety, especially when separated from parents
• Excessive crying
• Withdrawal from family, friends, and activities
• Disruptive behavior
• Sleep problems
• Irrational fears
• Nightmares
• Problems in school
• Complaints of physical ailments even when no physical symptoms are present
• Feelings of guilt
• Emotional numbing
• Depression
• Flashbacks
• Avoidance behaviors
• Lack of trust

These are not temporary reactions that fade after a few weeks. For many children, these emotional effects persist for years and interfere with their ability to participate in school, social activities, and everyday life.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following a Dog Bite

One of the most serious long-term risks for a child who suffers a dog bite is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Importantly, PTSD does not always appear immediately after the attack. Symptoms may emerge several weeks or even months later, which is one reason why the full impact of a dog bite injury is often not apparent right away. Symptoms of PTSD in children following a dog attack can include:

• Jumpiness and a heightened startle response
• Frequent bouts of crying
• Ongoing anxiety
• Poor performance in school
• Lost interest in activities the child previously enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating
• Recurring nightmares

The physical, emotional, and psychological effects of a dog bite attack can impact a child's self-esteem, confidence, and emotional growth in lasting ways. Because of this, the damages claimed after a dog bite attack must account for both the immediate and long-term consequences. Compensation in a dog bite case can and should include:

• Emergency room and ambulance costs
• Long-term care, such as home schooling if the child develops PTSD
• Psychological counseling
• Follow-up surgeries and reconstructive procedures

For a complete guide to your rights and options after a dog attack, you can request a free copy of the Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites, available at no cost or obligation.

Iowa's Dog Bite Laws: Strict Liability and Negligence

There are two legal theories available for pursuing damages after a dog bite in Iowa: strict liability and negligence-based liability. Understanding how each works, and how the breed of the dog factors into your claim, is critical to building the strongest possible case.

Iowa's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Iowa primarily governs dog bite claims under a strict liability standard, found in Iowa Code Section 351.28, which states that the owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog. Under strict liability, the dog owner is held responsible for injuries caused by a bite regardless of the dog's breed or any prior history of dangerous behavior. The one exception is if the bite victim was engaged in illegal activity at the time of the attack. Under strict liability, recoverable damages are generally limited to medical expenses directly related to the injury.

Negligence-Based Liability and When It Applies

A dog bite victim also has the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence, which opens the door to a broader range of damages. One example of negligence is an owner's failure to restrain a dog that has a known history of aggression or violent behavior. Similarly, a victim could argue that it was negligent for an owner to harbor a dog that has been officially declared dangerous or vicious by the city. In a negligence-based case, damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are all recoverable.

While Iowa does not have a single statewide breed restriction law, multiple cities across Iowa have banned, restricted, or classified certain breeds as dangerous or vicious. In Des Moines, Pit Bulls are automatically considered vicious under the city's municipal code. In Sioux City, Pit Bulls are banned entirely. In Cherokee, restrictions are placed on Pit Bulls, Akitas, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. If a person is harboring a dog that is illegal, restricted, or classified as dangerous or vicious under local law, and that dog attacks you, you may have strong grounds to establish negligence in a civil lawsuit. There are also special rules and requirements for vicious dogs that owners are required to follow.

Can You File a Complaint Against a Dangerous Dog That Has Not Bitten Anyone Yet?

Yes. Iowa allows residents to file a complaint against a dog that poses a threat even if that dog has not yet bitten anyone. Iowa follows a two-tier system for classifying dangerous animals. Under this system, a dog can be declared either vicious or dangerous, and the city can take steps to protect public safety once a declaration is made.

What Makes a Dog "Vicious" Under Iowa Law?

Under the Des Moines Municipal Code, a dog can be labeled vicious if it has attacked a person or domestic animal without provocation, has a tendency to attack or cause injury, snaps or bites, has been trained for dog fighting or other animal fighting, has been trained to attack humans on command, or is one of the specified breeds including Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers. Under this definition, dogs that growl, become rigid, or otherwise appear threatening can be labeled vicious even without ever biting anyone. A dog can also be declared vicious for causing harm in ways other than biting, such as knocking someone down or clawing at their face.

What Makes a Dog "Dangerous" Under Iowa Law?

To be declared dangerous, a dog must meet at least one of the following conditions: biting or clawing a person on two separate occasions within a 12-month period; biting or clawing once and causing injuries above the shoulders; being uncontrollable or unrestrained by the owner at the time of the attack; attacking a domestic animal or fowl on three or more separate occasions; or killing a domestic animal while off the owner's property. Many of these conditions require a pattern of serious behavior or the infliction of grave injuries to the head, face, or neck before a dog can be declared dangerous, as opposed to merely vicious.

Once a dog is declared vicious, it becomes subject to city regulations that include a separate licensing requirement, a mandatory $100,000 liability insurance policy, and special rules requiring the animal to be confined inside a home or structure, or kept on a leash at all times. If the Chief Humane Officer does not believe the owner can reasonably maintain the dog safely, the dog can be put down. Dogs declared dangerous are seized by the Chief Humane Officer and impounded after a set period, subject to appeal.

When to Contact Keokuk 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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