Compensation of Rs 10,000 Per Bite Mark Mandated by High Court in Stray Dog Attack Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has determined that the state is primarily accountable for compensating individuals involved in incidents with stray animals.

Specifically addressing cases of dog bites, the court has mandated a minimum financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per teeth mark and a minimum of Rs 20,000 per 0.2 cm of wound where the flesh has been pulled off the skin.

In the disposal of 193 pleas, the high court directed the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to establish committees led by deputy commissioners in their respective districts to assess and decide on such compensation claims.

The court emphasized that these committees should issue awards within four months of receiving claims, accompanied by the necessary documentation.

Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj, presiding over the bench, asserted that the state is primarily responsible for compensating individuals with the right to recover the funds from defaulting agencies, instrumentalities of the state, or private individuals, if applicable.