Lamoni Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

A dog attack can happen in an instant, leaving a Lamoni victim with painful wounds, a difficult recovery, and a long list of questions about their legal options. Understanding Iowa's rabies vaccination requirements, how a dangerous or vicious dog can be reported before it ever bites someone, and how to avoid common mistakes when dealing with doctors after an attack can all make a real difference in protecting a claim and a full recovery.

Iowa's Rabies Vaccination Laws for Dogs

In the early 1900s, over 100 people a year died as a result of rabies infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the 1990s, that number had shrunk to one or two rabies deaths per year nationwide, largely because of vaccination requirements for pets. Ensuring dog owners vaccinate their animals helps save human lives by preventing rabies infection after a dog bite, which is why Iowa's law on this subject is strict. Failing to follow the rabies vaccination law is a simple misdemeanor offense in Iowa.

What the Law Requires

Iowa Annotated Statute Section 351.33 requires dog owners to vaccinate their dogs. The statute makes it unlawful for a person to own or possess a dog six months of age or older that has not been vaccinated against rabies. If a dog is running at large in Lamoni without a rabies vaccination, the local board of health or a law enforcement official can impound the animal. The owner then has one week to retrieve the dog and provide proof of vaccination, or to have it vaccinated immediately. Failure to do so can result in the dog being euthanized.

Exemptions to the Rabies Vaccine Requirement

Iowa law allows for a handful of exemptions to the rabies vaccination requirement, including:

• The dog is under six months of age
• The dog is kept in a kennel and not allowed to run at large
• The dog is under the owner's control, in transit, and will be in Iowa for less than 30 days
• The dog is being exhibited and will be in the state for less than 30 days
• The dog is assigned to a research facility

Even when a dog legally qualifies for an exemption, it is still good practice to keep every dog current on its rabies vaccination. An unvaccinated dog that has a run-in with a wild, rabid animal can become infected and pass that risk on to people and other pets.

How the Vaccine Is Administered

Only licensed veterinarians are permitted to give rabies vaccinations under Iowa law, and the vaccine itself must be approved by the state department of agriculture and land stewardship. After vaccinating a dog, the veterinarian issues a certification of vaccination that the owner should keep on hand in case authorities ask for proof, along with a rabies tag that must remain attached to the dog's collar at all times. The rabies vaccine is relatively inexpensive and widely available at veterinary offices and animal hospitals.

Reporting a Dangerous or Vicious Dog

It is possible to file a complaint against a dangerous dog even if it has never actually bitten anyone. Iowa municipalities generally use a two-tier system for regulating vicious and dangerous dogs, and once a dog is declared either vicious or dangerous, local authorities can take steps to protect public safety.

What Makes a Dog "Vicious"

Under this kind of municipal framework, a dog can be classified as vicious if it meets any of the following conditions:

• It has attacked a human being or domestic animal without provocation
• It has a tendency to attack, cause injury, or endanger the safety of humans or domestic animals
• It snaps or bites
• It has been trained for dog fighting or other animal fighting
• It has been trained to attack humans, either on command or spontaneously, apart from police dogs
• It belongs to certain specified breeds, such as a Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier, or has the appearance of one of these breeds

Under this kind of definition, a dog that growls, barks, becomes rigid, or otherwise appears threatening can be labeled vicious. A dog that harms a person in ways other than biting, such as knocking someone down or clawing at their face, can also be declared vicious. Not every dog labeled vicious under these rules is actually dangerous. Some municipalities preemptively label certain breeds vicious based on a presumed predisposition, even when the individual dog is docile. A dog that is more genuinely violent, however, can be labeled dangerous.

What Makes a Dog "Dangerous"

To be declared dangerous under this type of municipal code, a dog typically must meet conditions such as:

• 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 unable to be controlled or restrained by the owner at the time of an attack
• Attacking a domestic animal or fowl on three or more separate occasions
• Killing a domestic animal while off the owner's property

Many of these conditions require the dog to have seriously attacked a person or animal more than once, or to have caused grave injuries, such as those to the head, face, or neck. A dog that has never attacked cannot typically be declared dangerous under this framework, though it may still be labeled vicious under the broader criteria above.

Filing a Complaint and What Happens to the Dog

Local governments often contract with an animal rescue or animal control agency to investigate dangerous dog complaints. To file a claim, a resident typically calls the agency and describes the dog in question so it can investigate and make a determination.

Dogs declared vicious are often subject to regulations such as a separate license, a significant liability insurance policy requirement, and rules requiring the animal to be confined in a house, structure, or on a leash at all times. In some cases, if the local humane officer does not believe it is reasonable for the owner to continue keeping the dog, the dog can be ordered put down. Dogs declared dangerous may be seized and impounded for a set period, or until an appeal is resolved. If a declaration is reversed on appeal, the owner is entitled to get the dog back.

Avoiding Mistakes When Dealing With Doctors After a Lamoni Dog Bite

Many people do not realize how much their interactions with a doctor matter after a dog bite injury. Common mistakes can affect a case just as much as they would after a car accident or work injury. Failing to report pain and how the injury is affecting daily life limits what gets documented in the medical records, which in turn affects a doctor's opinion of the injury.

See a Doctor Right Away

It is the injured person's responsibility to prove that the dog bite caused their injuries. Any pain or complications should be evaluated by a doctor immediately. Insurance companies and juries often assume that if someone did not seek prompt medical attention, the injury may not have been serious or related to the incident. Even a wound that seems minor at first can develop complications like infection, so it is best to be seen as soon as possible.

Be Thoughtful About What You Discuss With Providers

A medical provider's job is to focus on treating the injury, not the details of a legal claim. It is not necessary to discuss a lawsuit or whether an attorney is involved, though it is important to always tell the truth if asked. Anything said to a provider becomes part of the medical record, which the insurance company, and potentially a judge or jury, may eventually see. It remains important to accurately explain how and when the injury happened.

Be Honest About Health History

Doctors typically ask about prior injuries to the same area of the body. Past problems should never be hidden, since they tend to surface eventually. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can hurt both the quality of care and the strength of a legal case. Details about the dog bite itself should also be described honestly and consistently, since insurance companies and their lawyers look for inconsistencies to challenge credibility.

Attend Every Appointment

Missed appointments show up in medical records as "no show" or "DNS," and repeated absences can make it look like the injury was not taken seriously, even when there was a valid reason for missing an appointment. If an appointment must be rescheduled, calling at least 24 hours ahead is best practice.

Other important habits include telling providers when an injury affects the ability to work, making sure pain is accurately documented at each visit, taking medications exactly as prescribed, and not stopping treatment too soon or leaving long gaps between appointments. Keeping records of every provider seen, along with any work excuses or restrictions, helps support a Lamoni dog bite claim later on. Anxiety and other emotional effects following a dog attack are real and deserve treatment as well, and compensation may be available for psychological effects if they are properly diagnosed and treated by a professional.

When to Contact Lamoni 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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