Will compensate dog-bite victims: Punjab, Hry to HC

HARYANA GOVT GUIDELINES PROVIDE FOR ₹ 50,000

TO BE PAID AS COMPENSATION IN CASE OF DEATH OF A CHILD DUE TO STRAY DOG BITE

Punjab and the Haryana government on Tuesday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that they would compensate the victims of stray dog bite in their states.

During the resumed hearing of a petition on the issue for seeking compensation to such victims, the Haryana government produced guidelines finalised by the government titled, ‘The Haryana Municipal Guidelines for the Grant of Compensation to the victims of attacks by the Stray Dog (s), 2017’.

This has the provision of Rs 50,000 as compensation in case of death of a child due to stray dog bite, and a payment of Rs 1 lakh as compensation for the death of an adult.

In case of injuries by dog bite, there is provision for payment of medical expenses ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000. This will be in cases where the victim does not avail free medical treatment. The policy does not appear to cover deaths due to attack by other stray animals like bulls.

On the other hand, Punjab produced draft by-laws issued by its local government department, which provide for compensation of Rs 1 lakh in case of death caused due to attack by any stray animal.

The word “animal” includes buffalo, horse, bull, calf, dog also.

However, in the case of a disability resulting from attack by an animal, the compensation in proportion to extent of disability, up to Rs 1 lakh shall be payable. The by-laws envisage registration of every animal brought within the jurisdiction of urban local bodies, every year, before April 1, and also the renewal of such registration every year.

On registration, the owner shall get the animal tagged with a token given by the licensing authority.

Each MC shall construct a cattle pound of sufficient capacity for impounding stray cattle, the draft by-laws say.