Thodupuzha: The Kerala government may now have to pay compensation to children who are bitten by dogs on the streets.
Depending upon the severity of the bite, the government would have to pay Rs 5,000 or more to each victim.
The government should also ensure that children who are bitten by street dogs are provided with free medical facilities even from private hospitals.
Those who let loose their dogs on the streets, creating dangers to others, would have to be penalised under IPC 324, the state Child Rights Protection Commission said.
If the dog has an owner, the government can reclaim the amount through revenue recovery. Children below the age of 18 would be covered under the new provision.
The commission came up with the recommendation on a complaint filed by Idukki district Child Welfare Committee chair, P G Gopalakrishnan.
Wages of a dog's day out
Some other recommendations of the panel:
» Children who are admitted to hospitals after a dog bite have to be given free injections.
» Those who are severely bitten have to be provided with free injections.
» If they need surgery or/and plastic surgery procedures, the money for such treatments would have to be provided by the government through Health and Family Welfare Secretary or Revenue Secretary.