“American Staffordshire Terriers” or “Staffordshire Terriers” referred to generally as “pit bulls” have become a favorite household member for many families. Although owners across the country attest to their “pitties’” even temperaments and downright lovable dispositions, pit bulls have earned a reputation for aggression landing them on the pages of many city ordinances including Des Moines. In fact, owners of “American Pit Bull Terriers”, “American Staffordshire Terriers”, “Staffordshire Terriers” or predominant mixes – aka pit bulls – are considered “high risk” dogs in Des Moines and owners must therefore meet certain requirements:
- Dogs must display current city licenses and current rabies tags at all times
- Owners must carry liability insurance of at least $100,000
- Pit bull’s must either be secured inside a residence or inside a kennel with high walls and a lock
- During walks, dogs must be on a leash of no longer than 6 feet under the supervision of an adult
Despite an owner’s best efforts, or lack thereof, dogs of any breed can sometimes bite people, particularly children who do not understand boundaries, or attack other domestic animals. If bitten by a dog, wounds can range from superficial to severe, the latter sometimes leaving someone at risk for scarring, disfigurement or serious infection.
Owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dog, whether they believe their dog is dangerous or not. Consequently, owners may be sued for damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other relevant damages that result from a dog attack. In many cases, homeowners insurance will cover damages, or in the case of restricted breeds such as pit bulls, liability insurance secured by the owner may be available to the victim. The average compensation for a dog bite is over $30,000 and some juries have awarded lawsuits into the millions of dollars for vicious dog bite attacks.
When you or a loved one is bitten by a dog, it is important to seek the help of an experienced Iowa dog bite attorney who will aggressively pursue justice and maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact the Des Moines personal injury attorneys of Loney & Schueller LLC for immediate assistance today at 515-416-4006.