Delhi HC directs continued treatment for 6-year-old mauled by pitbull, seeks action-taken report from police

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (December 9, 2025) directed authorities to ensure continued medical care for a six-year-old boy who was severely injured in a pitbull attack in northwest Delhi last month, and sought a status report from the police on steps taken pursuant to an FIR registered against the owner of the dog.

Justice Sachin Datta took note of the fact that previous complaints had been made regarding the same pitbull, but no action was taken. A local resident had lodged a complaint in July this year, and another child was reportedly bitten last year.

The court recorded that an FIR was registered on November 23 following the latest incident, and asked the police to take “expeditious steps” with regard to the FIR.

During the hearing, counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Mr. Tushar Sannu, stated that the animal was unregistered and had been seized on the day of the incident.

The court asked the Delhi government to clarify what measures exist under the regulations for dealing with such incidents, observing: “Do the regulations contemplate any action to be taken against the owner of the dog? Tell me, what are the consequences if something like this happens?…You have to take measures to prevent this menace.”

The court directed that the dog should not be released until adequate safeguards are put in place “to ensure that a similar incident does not recur,”

It directed Safdarjung Hospital, where the child was admitted and later discharged, to continue providing necessary treatment to the child and ensure that all appropriate medical steps are taken.

On the question of the cost of hospitalisation and related expenditures, the court said, “It will be appropriate for the owner of the dog to bear the expenses. We will issue that direction next time. Let him appear before the court,” while issuing notice to the owner.

The petition, moved by the child’s father through advocate Avadh Kaushik, states that the boy, Devansh Kumar, a pre-school LKG student, was attacked on November 23 while playing outside his home in the Kirari–Nangloi area. The dog, owned by Rajesh Pal, allegedly dragged the child across the street and bit off his left ear, causing multiple serious injuries.

Mr. Kaushik, who has taken the case pro bono, said the father, Mr Dinesh Kumar Roy, is a daily-wage labourer earning and living with his wife and two minor sons in an economically weaker section neighbourhood, and the father is unable to meet mounting medical expenses.