Pet dogs are family… Court recognizes damages in dog bite incident
A court ruling has recognized pets not merely as property but as family members.
In a case involving a dog bite incident where a pet dog suffered injuries, the court acknowledged not only the medical expenses but also the damages for mental anguish.
The Korea Legal Aid Corporation announced on the 2nd that the Yeosu branch of the Gwangju District Court ordered that A, the owner of the pet dog, be compensated for the full amount of medical expenses and damages in a lawsuit filed against neighbor B.
The case occurred in September 2023.
A's pet dog was attacked by B's dog, sustaining serious injuries, and during the process of intervening, A also injured their wrist and other areas.
Despite being a recipient of basic livelihood security, A spent 800,000 KRW on surgery for the pet dog.
Revisiting the legal status of pets
With assistance from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, A filed a lawsuit claiming 830,000 KRW for medical expenses and 2 million KRW for damages.
During the trial process, the corporation actively argued that A's pet dog holds significance as a family member that goes beyond mere economic value.
Particularly emphasized was the fact that A had lost all family members, including a spouse and children, and had formed a deep physical and mental bond with the pet dog. This relationship could not be quantified in simple exchange value, and therefore, limiting the scope of damages based on this premise was deemed unjust.
The court accepted this argument, acknowledging both the 830,000 KRW in medical expense damages and the 2 million KRW in damages.
Kim Dong-min, a public interest attorney who handled the case, stated, "This ruling serves as a wake-up call regarding the irresponsible behavior of pet owners," adding, "In cases involving damages related to pets, the illegality of each specific case should be carefully examined to ensure appropriate damages are recognized."
Image source: Reference photo to aid understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank
