Dog Bites and Breed Bans: What Cities Can and Cannot Impose on Owners in Iowa

State Laws on Dog Bites 

Over 1/3 of households in Iowa have dogs. In a world where being a parent to a furry friend is becoming more and more common, it is important for the owners of such pets to be aware of how to keep their animal – and those around the animal – safe from any sort of liability.  

In Iowa, there are a variety of laws at the state and local levels that relate to liability for dog bites and bans on specific breeds. Iowa Code Section 351.28 states owners face liability for all damages if their dog bites, attacks, worries, maims, or kills someone. There are a few exceptions to this Code, one of which is if the victim is committing an unlawful act. Understanding Iowa’s Dog Bite Laws After an Attack | MSM&C (iowalawyers.com).

Owners should be aware that if their dog does cause damage, they are strictly liable, i.e. liable for all damages regardless of the circumstances, unless one of the [few] applicable exceptions applies. 

 Instances of Attacks 

In August 2023, a woman was attacked by two (2) pit bulls while walking the streets of Des Moines, Iowa. She sustained injuries to her face, torso, and thighs. It took the intervention of her partner and another individual in the area to get the dogs off of the woman.

The owner of the dogs attempted to hide the animals after the attack and was later charged with interfering with official acts after the Des Moines police attempted to recover the dogs with a search warrant. The woman had to go to the hospital as a result of the attacks but did not succumb to her injuries.  

In February 2024, another woman was hospitalized after sustaining numerous bites on her arm from a dog attack. Woman injured in Des Moines dog attack (kcci.com). Similar to the 2023 incident, the dogs were not owned by the victim who was injured, opening them up to strict liability for the injuries sustained. 

In addition to individuals being attacked on the street by other individual’s animals, there are recorded incidents of owners being attacked by their own animals, resulting in the animal being euthanized. In the winter of 2022, a man was attacked by two (2) of his one-year-old pit bulls.

At the scene of the attack, officers had to kill one of the dogs, and the other was later captured. The owner was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Man has life-threatening injuries after his own dogs attacked him (kcci.com). 

Regulation of Breeds 

As indicated above, some counties and towns across the state have additional regulations depending on the breed of animal. For example, Des Moines, Iowa, allows people to own bit bulls but imposes a significant insurance requirement on the owner.

Per Des Moines Code of Ordinance § 18-44.01 (2024), Des Moines pit bull owners must buy insurance that will pay at least $100,000 to cover injuries or property damage caused by their dogs.

The intent of the Ordinance is likely twofold: to allow for adequate coverage to those who are injured and as a deterrence for those who are considering the breed.  

Prior to 2023, towns were permitted to have a blanket ban on breeds of dogs that were permitted within the confines of their city. Iowa now holds that Iowa cities are not allowed to ban specific dog breeds, with the focus being on encouraging responsible dog ownership rather than banning breeds.

The passing of these laws invalidated breed-specific bans in numerous locations across the date, which mainly focused on pit bulls and other similar breeds. Iowa House passes bill to end pit bull bans | The Gazette 

Similar to Des Moines’s approach, if an individual dog is classified as “high risk” or “dangerous,” cities are still allowed to require a higher homeowner’s or renter’s insurance premium for the owner, and insurance companies are not expressly blocked from imposing higher premiums based on dog breed. 

Reduction in Injuries 

From 2011 to 2021, there have been 468 deaths caused by being bitten and/or struck by a dog, with the average being 43 deaths per year.

‍QuickStats: Number of Deaths Resulting from Being Bitten or Struck by a Dog, by Sex — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2011–2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov). While the number of deaths may or may not be shocking, there are an estimated 4.5 million people per year who sustain non-lethal dog bites, with attacks by pit bulls being the most likely to be fatal. Dog Attack Statistics By Breed In 2024 – Forbes Advisor. Rottweilers come in second for the most likely deadly attacks.  

Based on the statistics for deadly dog bites may bring into question the logic behind ending pit bull bans. Statistics do indicate that due to the fact that dogs are becoming a more involved part of the family as generations go on, the animals are able to become more socialized at a younger age. In turn, the thought is the increased socialization and role in the family will reduce the overall dog bite rates across the nation.  

While it is unknown if the lifted ban on breeds is better or worse for the safety of the nation, there is one thing that is known: the trend of dog owners is not going to decline anytime soon. Accordingly, be sure to look into the local laws in your town prior to purchasing your next furry friend, as there may be a significant insurance cost that comes along with the breed of your choice.