Delhi woman seeks Rs 20 lakh compensation for stray dog bite citing Punjab & Haryana HC formula
A Delhi woman has filed a plea seeking Rs 20 lakh in damages after a pack of stray dogs attacked her, causing physical and psychological trauma. She relies on a Punjab & Haryana High Court formula that calculates compensation based on teeth marks and wound size. The Delhi High Court has granted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi more time to respond as the broader legal issues around stray dog management unfold, including recent Supreme Court orders.
Priyanka Rai, a Delhi woman, filed a compensation claim for Rs 20 lakh after being attacked by multiple stray dogs on March 7 near Malviya Nagar. She cited a 2023 Punjab and Haryana High Court formula that awards Rs 10,000 per dog teeth mark and Rs 20,000 per 0.2 cm of flesh wound. Rai claimed 42 teeth marks and a total 12 cm wound, seeking Rs 12 lakh for injury and Rs 4.2 lakh for teeth marks, plus Rs 3.8 lakh for trauma and lost income. The Delhi High Court allowed more time for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file their response. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued orders for local authorities in Delhi-NCR and other regions to capture, sterilize, vaccinate, and release stray dogs, except rabid or aggressive ones, and to establish designated feeding zones. Victims of dog bites have been allowed to intervene in these cases. Rai’s lawyer noted that while Punjab and Haryana HC decisions are not binding on Delhi HC, they hold persuasive value. Rai’s case highlights ongoing challenges with stray dog management, compensation for victims, and enforcement of court directives aimed at balancing animal control with public safety and welfare.
