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

In June 2019, a 10-year-old girl sustained severe facial injuries after being attacked by a neighbour's dog in Taman Permata, Endau, Johor. The dog, a cross-bred pitbull named Chu, broke loose from its chain and attacked the girl while her friends were playing with Lim Seer Hao, the dog's owner. Lim, who was at sea that evening, was not present at his home when the incident occurred. His wife, Tiung Lai Choo, was also absent.

The Johor High Court awarded RM517,643 to the girl for her injuries, which included multiple deep wounds to her face and fractures to her nasal bone, sinuses, and jaw. The court found Lim 100% liable for the attack and dismissed his counterclaim against the girl and her parents. The compensation consisted of RM193,000 for general damages, RM300,000 for future medical expenses, and RM24,643.81 for special damages. Additionally, the court ordered 5% interest on the awarded sums and RM120,000 in costs.

The attack left the girl with facial palsy and required several surgeries, including skin grafts and reconstructive procedures. Despite Lim's claims of negligence, the court rejected his defense, stating that the plaintiff had proven her negligence claim on a balance of probabilities. Lim was also found guilty in the Mersing magistrates' court for an offence under Section 289 of the Penal Code and a local dog-licensing by-law, receiving a fine of RM1,000 and RM500, respectively.