Yargıtay upholds compensation for woman injured in dog attack

The Turkish Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) has upheld a decision ordering dog owners to pay approximately 637,156 Turkish Lira in compensation to a woman injured in a dog attack in Kırşehir.

In January 2019, Sebahat Karaman was attacked by a pack of dogs in the Boztepe district, resulting in a 37 percent disability rate, including tissue loss in her ears and arms. The court ruled that the owners were “strictly liable” under the Turkish Code of Obligations.

The high court emphasized that animal owners are legally obligated to take necessary precautions, such as using leashes or chains, to prevent their animals from harming others. The ruling establishes a precedent that failing to provide adequate supervision and security measures constitutes a breach of duty, even if the owners claim they took some precautions.