“If you keep a dog, take responsibility too”: Calcutta HC’s firm stand on pet attacks

The Kolkata High Court delivered a clear judgment on the responsibility of pet dog owners after hearing a case involving a dog attack in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas. Justice Uday Kumar, presiding over the case, emphasized that owners are fully liable if their pets cause injury to others. The ruling came after an incident in 2022 where a resident, Dipan Bandyopadhyay, filed an FIR stating that multiple pet dogs on his neighbor Suman Roy’s terrace attacked him, resulting in serious injuries.

Suman Roy had filed a petition in the High Court seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him. However, the court rejected the petition and allowed the police to proceed with necessary action based on the complaint. The court referred to Section 289 of the Indian Penal Code, which places legal responsibility on animal owners to prevent their animals from causing harm to others.

The judgment clarified that keeping a pet dog involves more than ownership; it requires ensuring that the animal does not pose a danger to people around. The court noted that dog attacks can be serious and sometimes life-threatening, and hence, owners must take adequate precautions. The legal directive makes it clear that pet owners cannot disclaim responsibility for attacks by their animals.

This ruling underscores the legal obligation of pet owners to control and manage their pets safely. It sets a precedent for similar cases where pet attacks cause injury, reinforcing that animal owners must ensure their pets do not harm the public. The decision authorizes law enforcement to act when such incidents occur.