Court awards over RM500,000 to girl mauled by dog in Johor

The Johor Bahru High Court has awarded RM517,643 to a 10-year-old girl who suffered severe facial injuries after being mauled by a neighbour's dog in June 2019. The court ruled that the dog's owner, fisherman Lim Seer Hao, was entirely responsible for the June 27, 2019 attack. Judge Noradura Hamzah dismissed Lim's counterclaim against the girl and her parents, finding the victim had proven her negligence claim.

The compensation comprised RM193,000 for general damages, RM300,000 for future medical expenses, and RM24,643.81 for special damages. The court also ordered 5% interest on the sums and RM120,000 in costs. The incident occurred when Lim's daughter opened an automated gate, allowing the children into his compound. The girl was playing in the yard when the chained pitbull, named Chu, broke loose and attacked her.

Lim was at sea at the time, while his wife was out. Lim's son managed to stop the attack by throwing a water bottle at the dog, and neighbours came to help. The girl suffered multiple deep wounds to her face, fractures to her nasal bone and other facial structures, and injuries to her eyelid and tear duct. She underwent an eight-hour operation at a private hospital and required further surgeries, including reconstructive surgery and scar treatments.

Lim denied negligence, claiming the girl entered his property without permission and ignored his warnings about the dog. However, the judge dismissed his defence and found the plaintiff had proved her case. Lim was also found guilty of an offense under the Penal Code and a dog-licensing by-law, receiving fines of RM1,000 and RM500, respectively.