Hudson Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

When dogs cause injury, dog bite lawyers become dependable allies. They specialize in the legal intricacies of animal attacks, ensuring victims receive proper management of liability and compensation for justice and support.

Understanding and Handling Dog Attacks: Legal and Safety Considerations

Reporting a Dog Attack

Yes, you should generally report a dog attack, especially if it:
- Results in serious injury;
- The dog is not contained; or
- The animal appears sick and is a continued danger.

Additionally, victims can consult an Iowa personal injury attorney for help collecting evidence and presenting a claim for damages against the dog’s owner.

What to Do in the Case of a Dog Bite Injury

Following a dog bite or attack, first secure your safety and that of others. Separate yourself from the animal and move to a safe place if necessary. Further steps to take after a dog bite or attack include:

1. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water if available.
2. Seek medical attention from a doctor or emergency room if needed.
3. Call animal control or a local police department to report the dog attack.

In addition to reporting the accident to the proper authorities, you should also be sure to collect information about the dog, its owner, the accident, and any eyewitnesses to the attack. You may need this information in the future if you decide to pursue a dog bite injury claim in Iowa with a personal injury attorney. Under Iowa Code 351.28, an owner of the dog is liable to the injured person for damages done by the dog.

Consult an Iowa Personal Injury Attorney for Help

To learn more about the legal options that may be available to victims of dog attacks in Iowa, a personal injury attorney at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can provide consultation. Chat here now for a free consultation.

We can evaluate the circumstances surrounding the incident, establish owner liability for the dog bite injury, and collect necessary evidence for the claim. The report of a dog attack may be used to establish the circumstances of the incident.

When Use of Harmful Force is Appropriate as Protection from a Dog Attack

As protection from a dog attack, the use of harmful force against a dog that is posing an immediate threat to oneself or a nearby person is allowable in order to prevent injuries. However, one is only permitted to do so when acting in self-defense or in the defense of others, not for revenge for a dog bite/attack or unprovoked harm.

Individuals may use force as protection from a dog attack if they do so in defense of themselves or another person. For a dog to be believed a threat to others, it must show actions that lead the person to know or reasonably believe that the dog would attack.

The amount of force used should be appropriate to the degree of threat the dog presented. If the dog was attacking the victim, lethal force could be considered appropriate. Also, the person who uses force against the dog should be able to prove that the actions they took were the only available to prevent themselves or others from coming to harm or further harm.

When Use of Harmful Force is Inappropriate Protection from a Dog Attack

Attacking a dog just because it is barking or growling is typically inappropriate, especially if the dog is restrained or confined. For example, if the dog is growling and snapping at a person but is still restrained or confined to where it is not likely it would be able to inflict harm, the use of a gun against the dog may be considered inappropriate.

Likewise, if the dog has already attacked a victim and is fleeing the area and no longer threatening the victim, an argument may be made that harmful force would not be appropriate as the dog is no longer threatening the person’s safety.

Another case where harmful force against a dog would be disallowed is when a person does so for revenge. If previously bitten by a neighbor’s dog, one is not permitted to go back and harm the dog for its actions. Instead, one should report the incident to police or animal control to have them assess the situation and take the appropriate action.

According to Iowa law statute 351.28, “The owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog, when the dog is caught in the action of worrying, maiming, or killing a domestic animal, or the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person, except when the party damaged is doing an unlawful act, directly contributing to the injury.”

Seeking Help after a Dog Bite

Cases of dog bite injuries can become more complicated if harmful force was used by the victim to prevent or end the attack. In these situations, the dog owner may press criminal charges against the individual who harmed the dog, creating both a civil and a criminal case.

Long-term Effects of Dog Attacks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012, more than 27,000 people were the victims of dog attacks that resulted in reconstructive surgery. Additionally, one in five people who are bitten by a dog, or approximately 885,000 people each year, requires medical attention.

Physical Disfigurement

While not all dog bites result in permanent injury, some dog attacks can result in physical disfigurement, including:

- Permanent scars.
- Paralysis or partial paralysis.
- Mobility problems.
- Amputation.

In some cases, plastic or reconstructive surgery can remedy the disfigurement. However, certain types of physical disfigurement, such as paralysis, cannot always be corrected. In cases such as these, the victim of the dog attack must learn to cope with disfigurement and disability for the rest of their life.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

Mental and emotional dog attack effects can also be devastating. Some victims, including children who are attacked by dogs, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the VA National Center for PTSD, the effects of trauma on children and adolescents may include:

- Acting out the incident while playing.
- Fear, worry, stress, and anger.
- Feelings of loneliness.
- Aggression.
- Inappropriate or unusual sexual behavior.
- Self-harm.
- Abuse of alcohol or drugs.
- Impulsive behavior.

Additionally, a child attacked by a dog may develop an attachment disorder characterized by crying, whimpering, or fear when separated from a parent; exhibiting signs of extreme withdrawal or disruptive behavior; or experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and more. In adults, the latter symptoms are common for those attacked by dogs.

Infections and Disease

It’s rare for a person to become infected with a dangerous or deadly disease upon being attacked by a dog, but it does happen. While many of these infections and diseases are treatable, some can cause long-term damage or may even be deadly. For example, some dogs that bite are infected with rabies, in which case the person may also become infected with rabies. If left untreated, rabies can be deadly.

When wound infections are left untreated, they can often spread to other parts of the body, causing severe repercussions for a person’s health, including:

- Disfigurement.
- Sepsis.
- Amputation.
- Loss of function.
- Death.

Talk to an Attorney about Recovering Damages for Dog Attack Effects

If a dog has attacked you, it’s important that you seek medical care immediately and report the dog attack as soon as possible. In addition, seek the advice of a personal injury attorney about the damages related to the dog attack effects you’re experiencing.

When a dog attack results in serious injury, the owner may be liable. In cases such as these, you may be entitled to damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer

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.