Justice Denied: Madras High Court’s Decision on Chennai Rottweiler Attack Leaves Five-Year-Old Girl’s Parents Heartbroken
Madras High Court Rejects ₹10 Lakh Compensation Plea for Child Mauled by Pet Rottweilers
The Madras High Court has denied a plea to direct the Tamil Nadu government, Chennai Collector, and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to compensate ₹10 lakh to the parents of a five-year-old girl who was severely attacked by two pet Rottweilers in a GCC park. The incident occurred in Nungambakkam on May 5, 2024.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the writ petition filed by the girl’s mother, S. Soniya. He emphasized that the State cannot be held vicariously liable for the actions of a private individual’s pets, especially since a criminal case was already registered against the dog’s owner, S. Pugazhendhi, for allowing the dogs to roam without a leash.
The police investigation in the criminal case has been completed and a final report was submitted to the XV Metropolitan Magistrate court in Chennai. Justice Ilanthiraiyan noted that the petitioner could seek compensation from the dog’s owner, not the State.
In her affidavit, Soniya stated that her husband was employed to maintain the GCC park, and the family lived on its premises. On the day of the incident, Soniya was gardening while her child played in the park. Pugazhendhi brought his unleashed Rottweilers, who then attacked the child, causing severe injuries. With local assistance, Soniya rushed her daughter to the hospital, where doctors saved the child’s life.
Following the attack, the park was closed, resulting in her husband’s job loss and the family facing financial difficulties. Soniya had previously appealed to State authorities for ₹10 lakh in compensation on June 11, 2024, but received no response, prompting her to file the writ petition.
Soniya argued that the authorities had failed to mandate guidelines for owning foreign dog breeds. She claimed that this regulatory gap allowed dangerous breeds like Rottweilers to be kept in residential areas, leading to the incident.
The High Court’s decision underscores the complexities in attributing liability and highlights the need for clear regulations concerning pet ownership, especially of aggressive breeds.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-rottweiler-attack-madras-high-court-says-state-need-not-pay-compensation-to-five-year-old-girls-parents/article68515412.ece
Category : Tamil Nadu
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