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Iowa Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: My dog had a medical processor done. I was told by the third party surgery would be done if half was paid and monthly

The following month come I gave a payment to the third party to pay the hospital. I did say in the beginning I would make a direct payment they said they didn't want the vet to know it wasn't there dog and it was someone else dog she's housing. So I made the cashepnt to her. Then the... View More

Stephen Murray
Stephen Murray
answered on Oct 18, 2024

Alright, here’s how I’d respond:

You’ve got a tricky situation, but it boils down to this: you agreed to pay the vet hospital directly for your dog’s surgery, not the third party who was involved. From what you’re saying, the third party had you believing there was an outstanding...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Federal Crimes and Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to buy a fake ID and customise it for my dog as a joke? i think its funny but can i carry it in my wallet?

I know falsifying government documents is illegal but it's going to be like a picture of a dog weighing 9 pounds height 8 inches and all that. Dogs can't drive and obviously, a dog who was born in 2023 can't buy alcohol. So would it still be illegal if it is a joke? (the joke being... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Let me see if I understand your question. You want to know if it is legal to lie to a state or federal agency by filling out an application by lying about who the applicant is, providing false answers to those questions and providing a false signature. Is that right?

And you’ve admitted...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Federal Crimes and Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to buy a fake ID and customise it for my dog as a joke? i think its funny but can i carry it in my wallet?

I know falsifying government documents is illegal but it's going to be like a picture of a dog weighing 9 pounds height 8 inches and all that. Dogs can't drive and obviously, a dog who was born in 2023 can't buy alcohol. So would it still be illegal if it is a joke? (the joke being... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 21, 2024

Creating or possessing a fake ID, even for humorous purposes, is generally considered illegal in most jurisdictions, including Iowa. While the intention may be for a joke, the creation, purchase, or possession of fake identification documents can carry legal consequences, as it undermines the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Municipal Law for Iowa on
Q: The city where I reside has deemed my dogs as dangerous with no proof, citations, or incidents.

I have all supporting documents to prove my case.

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 31, 2024

You have every right to be concerned and frustrated by the situation. When a city deems dogs as dangerous without any proof or incidents, it's important to take immediate action to protect your pets and your rights. Gather all your supporting documents, including any vet records, training... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Libel & Slander for Iowa on
Q: My home town tried to force me to pay additional fees for having a working service dog and retaliated when I denied.

The city where I reside has deemed my dogs as dangerous with no proof, citations, or incidents.

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 27, 2024

What is the name of your hometown? In what state is it in? What is the exact wording of the statute or ordinance being applied? What is the dog’s breed? Where do you keep the dog? Are you keeping it in a chain link enclosure with a gate that can latch? Do you have homeowners insurance that covers... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: My buddy’s dad bought an xxl pit bull off a guy without receiving paperwork and now the guy wants him back?

The pit bull was a couple months old at the time and extremely starved with a stomach full of rope that took 4000$ surgery to remove it, since then almost a year later he is a beast of a dog in a happy home that weighs 150+ pounds and now the neglectful owner he bought him off says he wants the dog... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Oct 1, 2020

If your buddy's dad can prove he paid for the dog (text messages, emails, social media messages + proof of payment -- if it was cash, he'll need the cash withdrawal receipt), then the police shouldn't get involved. The police likely won't get involved, anyway, especially if your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Can I sue a Barn Manager for neglet and verbal abuse? How much evidence would I need to win my case if I choose to sue?

I had my horse in the care of a local barn. A few weeks after I moved him their the barn manager left him and several others without water. Had I not been there to fill up the water buckets I believe that they all would have coliced as they would have been without water for over 12 hours. She also... View More

Erik Luthens
Erik Luthens
answered on Dec 13, 2019

You believe that your horse “deserves justice” because he’s hungry? If you have at least $10,000 to pay an attorney to work towards justice, you might have a case.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Domestic Violence for Iowa on
Q: So my parents abused me and I left about a year ago. I want to go back for my dogs. How would I do that?

My father abused them also but it was only two dogs he did it to.

Erik Steven Fisk
Erik Steven Fisk
answered on May 8, 2018

Were you a minor? Are you a minor now? What's your claim to the dogs over your parents'? Generally speaking, pets are treated just like personal property under the law.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: My roommate and I have too many dogs but can we get in trouble for it?

My roommate has three dogs and I have three dogs but they live on separate floors and don't go outside together so can we still get in trouble for having too many dogs?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Mar 31, 2018

Read your lease and your town or city ordinances. There lies the answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: In short, is a dog owner responsible for a dog who damages material property in a home (shoes, glasses, etc)?

Initially, dog chewed shoes and inserts. Shoes were wearable so the roommate didn't pay for those, but paid for inserts.

I then tried to hide a new pair of shoes, dog found them, chewed them. I accepted some responsibility and didn't ask for her to pay for it.

I had... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Nov 15, 2017

It is the roommates responsibility to control her pets and any damage the dog does is her's to pay to repair or to replace. No if's, and's or but's about it.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa - Is it illegal to record personal phone calls without the other persons consent?

I have an app on my phone that records all my phone calls. I've recently been harassed and threatened. Can I use those recorded calls in court even though I didn't have the other persons consent or knowledge of the call being recorded?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 25, 2017

Generally speaking so long as one person to a conversation has given permission, the call can be recorded. If recordings are legally obtained, so long as there is not another reason, the evidence is admissible.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa rescue shelter is threatening to file a claim for breach of contract. What are my rights?

I adopted a 7 week old puppy that got severely ill within 24 hours of adoption. I took him to my vet who admitted my pup to puppy hospital. I alerted the shelter right away that he was sick and admitted. The shelter said they would do whatever they could to make it right. They offered a settlement... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 25, 2017

It is improper and may even be a crime for someone to threaten to have someone put in jail over a disputed civil matter, such as an unpaid bill. In Polk County we refer to that as extortion. The contract you signed is what governs who should pay for what and when.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa, our female ran off 3 months ago, a neighbor 3 miles away has her, doesn't want to give her back, my rights?

She is a purebred and ran off after getting bred by our male. We posted her on lost dogs Iowa, used social media, called local vets and sheriff reporting her lost. They don't want to give her back and are selling the puppies. What are my rights in getting my dog back?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 13, 2017

According to the law, the dog is property. The owner can sue in District Court for the dog to be returned, via a procedure commonly referred to as a replevin. Or in small claims court for the value of the dog. Or consider reporting it to the police and asking law enforcement to assist in obtaining... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Son(7) threw apple over fence. Neighbor dogs fought over it. Who pays vet bill?

Ottumwa, IA

Is a seven year old really responsible for the dogs' actions though?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

In which state did this happen? In which town or city? Let's assume for a minute that the seven year old boy is responsible. Then the boy's parents, if they have a homeowner's policy would likely by the one paying the bills, minus any deductible.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Can my neighbor take my dog to the vet and give her shots when it's not her dog?

My neighbor ( who is a vet technician ) apparently found my dog. And instead of finding her owners she took her to her vet and got her shots and vaccinations. Without consent of the owner. My dog gets her collar off all the time so she didn't have it on when they found her. I just want to know... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

I fail to see how you are asking a serious question. First of all you admit the dog was running at-large, the dog was running without a collar and the dog had not been properly taken care of from a veterinarian standpoint. You are lucky the person who found it doesn't sue you to recover the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: I was walking on the street and a dog bit me - the owner basically ran off while I was checking my leg.

Who pays for my hospital bill?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Nov 2, 2016

It appears from where you posted this question the dog bite occurred somewhere in Iowa. Your medical bills may be covered by two insurance policies. The first, assuming you can identify the owner of the dog, would be the dog owner's homeowner's insurance policy. And if not, then perhaps... View More

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