In a recent announcement, China’s Supreme People’s Court emphasized that owners or breeders of prohibited, dangerous animals are liable for any injuries caused, irrespective of the victim’s actions. The court reaffirmed this stance on Monday, citing concluded cases and urging citizens to adhere to laws governing pet ownership in a civilized manner.
Among the highlighted cases was an incident from August 2019, where a 7-year-old named Xu was scratched in the face by an Alaskan Malamute while playing in a residential area. Xu’s family initiated legal action against the dog‘s owner, surnamed Liu, leading to a local court ruling in favor of the family. Liu was ordered to pay over 30,000 yuan ($4,200) in compensation as the local dog management regulation prohibited raising Alaskan Malamutes within the city due to their classification as large and aggressive dogs.
Chen Yifang, Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court’s No 1 Civil Adjudication Tribunal, emphasized the significance of the ruling. She stated that owners or breeders of dangerous animals must bear responsibility for injuries, regardless of the victims’ actions, reinforcing this principle in both local regulations and the Civil Code.
Chen acknowledged ongoing disputes in some regions regarding liability reduction or exemption when victims are at fault. To address this, the Supreme People’s Court is planning to formulate a judicial interpretation on handling cases involving harm caused by dangerous animals.
The court disclosed five additional concluded cases to underscore regulations, prohibiting individuals under 18 from walking dogs alone and emphasizing the importance of leashing dogs during walks.
The announcement comes after a disturbing incident in Chongzhou, Sichuan province, last year, where a 2-year-old child suffered a vicious Rottweiler attack. The incident prompted increased attention and strengthened dog management policies in various cities across the country.
Rottweilers, recognized as strong and fierce dogs, are now included in the prohibited list in multiple regions to prevent similar incidents and enhance public security.
