Delhi High Court grants Rs 2.5 lakh aid to kin of infant killed in dog attack

The Delhi High Court has directed the city government to pay Rs 2.5 lakh ex gratia aid to the parents of a five-month-old infant who was mauled to death by a dog, observing that the stray dog menace in the Capital is a serious issue affecting human life and dignity.

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The court, which took a sympathetic view and awarded the ex gratia, said the record does not clarify whether the dog bit the baby was a stray or a leashed canine that was abandoned by its owner.

It further said the absence of clear evidence establishing the responsibility of state instrumentalities prevents this court from applying the ‘res ipsa loquitur’ (mere occurrence of some types of accident is sufficient to imply negligence) maxim and holding the Delhi MC negligent in the case.

“Notwithstanding the factual scenario of the present case, before parting, it is pertinent to observe here that the stray dog menace in Delhi is a serious issue affecting human life and dignity,” Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said.