Budak cedera diserang anjing, mahkamah arah ganti rugi RM500,000

Johor High Court has ordered Lim Seer Hao, a fisherman, to pay RM517,643 in damages to a young girl who suffered severe injuries when attacked by his dog named Chu in June 2019. The court ruled that Lim was 100% responsible for the incident and rejected any compensation claims from the victim and her family. The court awarded RM193,000 as a general damages; RM300,000 for future medical expenses; and RM24,643.81 as special damages.

Additionally, interest at 5% is to be paid on the relevant amount, along with RM120,000 in costs. The victim, who was 10 years old at the time of the attack, was playing with friends outside her neighbor's house when Lim's dog Chu escaped from a gate and attacked her. Lim emerged to catch fish while his son managed to stop the attack by throwing a water bottle at the dog.

Despite his claims that the neighbors warned the child to leave before the attack and that the child tried to provoke the dog, the court found the plaintiff successful in proving negligence. The court also rejected Lim and his wife's claims of emotional distress following Chu's death. Lim had previously been found guilty in Mersing Magistrate Court for Section 289 of the Criminal Offences Act and minor charges related to dog ownership, resulting in a RM1,000 fine and a RM500 penalty.