UAE court fines a dog owner 20,000 dirhams for an aggression case
The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court has issued a fine of 20,000 dirhams against a dog owner whose dog attacked a child.
The court ruled that the owner must compensate the child's father, acting as the natural guardian, with an amount of 15,000 dirhams for the damages caused by the dog's aggression. The plaintiff's son suffered injuries, leading to a criminal conviction for the dog owner, who was fined 5,000 dirhams in the criminal court.
In the detailed account, the plaintiff, acting as the natural guardian, filed a lawsuit demanding 50,000 dirhams in compensation for both material and moral damages inflicted on him and his son. The dog, owned by the defendant, attacked the plaintiff's minor son during a walk, causing injuries as documented in the medical report. The defendant had already been criminally convicted and fined 5,000 dirhams for the incident.
The court emphasized that any harm caused by an individual, even if not intentional, imposes an obligation on the perpetrator to rectify the harm. It clarified that the defendant's conviction in the criminal court aligned with the grounds on which the plaintiff based his civil lawsuit, establishing a common foundation between the criminal and civil claims.
Highlighting the plaintiff's proven fault, the court acknowledged the material damage suffered by the plaintiff and his son due to the dog attack. The injuries documented in the medical report, the initiation of a criminal case leading to a final ruling, and the resultant emotional distress, including fear and sadness, were considered. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, obliging the defendant to pay 15,000 dirhams in compensation for all damages incurred by the plaintiff's son. Additionally, the defendant was directed to cover the associated fees and expenses.
