Prairie City Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Dog bite injury lawyers become crucial allies for those injured by dogs. Their expertise in animal-related legal matters allows them to effectively handle liability and compensation complexities, securing justice and proper aid.

What Are Commonly Considered Aggressive Dog Breeds

Some dogs have a reputation for being among the most aggressive and dangerous dog breeds. However, any dog can attack and bite another person or another dog. Much depends on the dog’s training, the owner’s behavior, and the circumstances that lead to the bite or attack, such as teasing or scaring the dog.

Every year, there are nearly 4.7 million injuries from dog bites in the United States. According to insurance companies, the five dog breeds most often associated with dog bite injuries and fatal attacks are:

- Presa Canario: This mix of a mastiff and a pit bull is often used to herd cattle. These dogs weigh up to 125 pounds and are about 25 inches tall.
- Doberman Pinscher: Bred to guard their owners and respond immediately when threatened, these dogs should avoid violent or aggressive play.
- Husky: With very complex personalities, Huskies can be dangerous in the hands of inexperienced owners.
- German Shepherd: Known for their brave and confident nature, these large dogs are often used in police work. However, their confidence can sometimes make them aggressive.
- Rottweiler: Rottweilers often dislike people and animals they have never met. Their strong jaws make them extremely effective at defending their owners.

Other breeds commonly considered aggressive include:

- Pit Bull
- Rottweiler
- Doberman Pinscher
- Husky-type
- Wolf Hybrid
- Malamute
- German Shepherd

Well-known dog trainer and television host Cesar Milan writes on his website, “The difference between an aggressive Chihuahua and an aggressive pit bull is that the bigger breeds can cause proportionately bigger damage.” Thus, a pit bull attack might be more likely to cause significant damage—and garner more media reports—than a Chihuahua attack.

Vicious Dog Declaration in Iowa

Some people use pit bulls for dogfighting and/or intentionally make them more aggressive. This has led many cities to automatically declare these dogs dangerous or vicious.

Prairie City declares pit bulls and any dog with the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the pit bull breeds as automatically vicious. This requires the dog owner to purchase homeowner’s insurance coverage with a minimum liability of $100,000.

Any dog can be declared vicious if it meets certain criteria. Prairie City declares dogs vicious if the dog:

- Attacks a human or domestic animal without provocation
- Has a history, tendency, or disposition to attack or cause injury to humans or domestic animals
- Snaps or bites or gives reason to believe it will snap or bite
- Has been trained for dog fighting
- Has been trained to attack humans upon command (except police and military dogs)

So whether a pit bull or a Chihuahua meets these criteria, it will be declared vicious under Prairie City law, and the owner must get the required insurance coverage.

Does the Dog’s Breed Matter if I’m Filing a Dog Bite Claim?

No. If a dog bit you and caused injury, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a breed some people list as aggressive or a breed most consider friendly and well-behaved. Iowa has strict dog bite liability laws, meaning whether or not a dog is declared vicious and whether or not the dog has bitten before, the dog owner is liable for damages.

Can a Dog Bite Cause Nerve Damage?

A dog bite can cause nerve damage. A dog's powerful jaws can injure not only nerves but also tendons, muscles, and bones.

Ways a Dog Bite Can Cause Nerve Damage

- Neuropraxia: The least serious type of nerve damage, it stretches nerves but doesn't sever them. It can occur from crushing injuries caused by the bite or when an attack results in a dislocation or fracture. Recovery can take anywhere from a few hours to several months.
- Axonotmesis: A serious injury that a dog bite can cause, damaging nerves and muscle and motor function. Recovery is much longer, from a few months to years.
- Neurotmesis: The most severe type of injury, it occurs when the nerve is severed. If it's a clean cut, it's sometimes possible to repair the nerve. Recovery will still take time because it's a slow process. But in many circumstances, the damage is irreparable. When function doesn't return, it can cause abnormal sensations or movements.

Signs of Nerve Damage after a Dog Bite

- Motor nerves control actions and movements by passing information from the spinal cord and brain to the muscles. Signs of motor nerve damage may include:
  - Weakness
  - Paralysis
  - Fasciculation (twitching)
  - Muscle atrophy (muscle wasting)
  
- Sensory nerves affect sensation (such as pain) by passing information from the muscles and skin to the brain and spinal cord. Signs of sensory nerve damage may include:
  - Burning
  - Numbness
  - Pain
  - Prickling/tingling
  - Difficulties with positional awareness

How Nerve Damage May Impact a Dog Bite Claim

Nerve damage can occur to the face, hands, or other body parts. Additional injuries such as fractures and open wounds, which are at risk of infection, are important considerations when determining the value of a dog bite claim.

Dog owner liability depends on state laws. In Iowa, it's fairly easy to hold an owner liable for damages. The only exception may apply if the victim acted unlawfully and it contributed to the injury, such as breaking into someone's home and getting attacked by the family's dog.

Recoverable damages include medical costs for treating the injury. Nerve damage injuries may require surgery, and severe injuries may necessitate cosmetic surgery to improve appearance.

Lost earnings are another form of compensation in a dog bite claim, including any missed work time during recovery and anticipated earnings if the attack leaves the person disabled.

When a Child Suffers PTSD After a Dog Bite Attack in Iowa

Your child's dog bite attack in Iowa can result in lifelong financial, physical, and emotional costs. You should contact an Iowa dog bite attorney to be compensated for present and future expenses from your child's injuries and damages.

Injuries and Damage After a Dog Bite Attack in Iowa

A dog attack can result in:

- Torn clothing
- Bloody clothing
- Scratches
- Bruises
- Deep cuts
- Puncture wounds
- Loss of tissue
- Loss of limbs
- Broken bones
- Crushed bones
- Disfigurement

These physical injuries can be devastating and extremely painful for your child. After your child's serious dog bite attack, you may rush them to the hospital for medical treatment. However, there's often more than meets the eye following such an incident.

After securing medical help, contact an Iowa dog bite attorney to be compensated for present and future expenses from the attack.

If your child suffers serious physical injuries from a dog bite attack, serious surgeries, medications, and therapy may be necessary. These treatments can be costly and time-consuming, and you may need to miss work to care for your child.

Emotional distress may also play a role in your child's and family's life after a dog bite attack. Emotional distress may require medications and psychological therapy to calm your child's persisting fears. It can also be disheartening for you and your family to see your child go through these treatments and suffer from the attack's post-effects, potentially causing relationship problems and affecting concentration.

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.