Pitbull without a muzzle bit a six-year-old girl in Vinnytsia: the court obliged the owner to pay 30 thousand hryvnias

The Vinnytsia City Court of Vinnytsia Region considered civil case No. 127/3668/26 filed by a mother acting in the interests of her minor daughter against the dog owner for compensation for moral damages caused by the animal's attack. The dispute concerned the recovery of compensation for moral damages caused to the child due to bodily injuries and the related physical and psychological suffering.

Essence of the case

The court established that in the city of Vinnytsia, a pitbull dog belonging to the defendant, while being walked without a leash and muzzle, attacked a six-year-old child and inflicted multiple bites on her right shoulder.

After the attack, the child was hospitalized in the trauma department. On the same day, she underwent surgery under intravenous anesthesia, primary surgical treatment of wounds, their washing, and drainage. Subsequently, the child underwent a course of rabies vaccination and prolonged treatment, including postoperative observation and outpatient care. Medical documents confirmed the presence of multiple bite wounds on the right shoulder and scar formation after treatment completion.

The fact of the dog attack and violation of the rules of its keeping was established by the decision of the Vinnytsia City Court of Vinnytsia Region dated September 24, 2025, in an administrative offense case. The animal owner was found guilty of the offense under part three of article 154 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses and was fined 1,700 hryvnias with confiscation of the pitbull dog. The decision came into legal force.

The plaintiff stated that the animal's attack caused the child not only physical injuries but also significant moral suffering. The event was sudden and traumatic for the minor, causing acute fear, a sense of danger to life, and helplessness. After the attack, the child underwent surgery, numerous dressings, wound drainage, and rabies measures, accompanied by pain and psychological discomfort.

It was also noted that after the experience, the child exhibited increased anxiety, fear of animals, sleep disturbances, tearfulness, emotional instability, reluctance to be left without parents, and unwillingness to go outside. Additionally, due to treatment, she was unable to attend her first school celebration—the first bell—which became an additional source of emotional distress.

Due to these circumstances, the mother applied to the court demanding 30,000 hryvnias in moral damages. The defendant fully acknowledged the claim during the case consideration.

Court's position

The court noted that according to part six of article 82 of the Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine, a court decision in an administrative offense case that has come into legal force is binding for the court when considering a civil case regarding the legal consequences of a person's actions in terms of establishing the fact of such actions and the person who committed them.

The court pointed out that according to articles 1167 and 1168 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, moral damages caused by unlawful actions are subject to compensation by the person who caused them. Moral damages caused by mutilation or other health damage may be compensated in monetary form.

The court also cited article 1187 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, according to which the keeping of service dogs and fighting dog breeds is an activity that creates increased danger to others, and therefore damage caused by such a source of increased danger is compensated by the person who keeps it.

Furthermore, the court referred to article 12 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Protection of Animals from Cruelty," which provides for the obligation of the person keeping the animal to fully compensate for the damage caused by it.

Court conclusions

Assessing the circumstances of the case, the court concluded that as a result of the dog attack, the child suffered significant physical pain and moral suffering. The court recognized that the victim underwent surgery, prolonged treatment, emotional stress, fear, and psychological exhaustion, which significantly changed her usual way of life.

The court emphasized that due to the injuries and treatment, the child was deprived of the opportunity to participate in her first school celebration—the first bell—which is an important and unique event in every child's life. The court believes these circumstances indicate significant forced changes in the life relations of the child and her mother.

Considering the nature of the offense, the depth of the victim's physical and mental suffering, the degree of the defendant's guilt, and the fact that the latter fully acknowledged the claim, the court concluded that the claimed amount of compensation was justified.

By the court's decision, the claim was fully satisfied. The defendant was ordered to pay the mother, acting in the interests of the minor daughter, 30,000 hryvnias in moral damages and 3,328 hryvnias in court fees.

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