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“Hyderabad veterinary doctor booked over medical negligence over the treatment of a dog”
healthy soch
New Delhi, September 15, 2019:
Following death of an 11-month-old pet dog belonging to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s official residence Pragati Bhavan, a case has been registered against a private veterinary doctor based on a complaint from the dog’s caretaker. The Banjara Hills police registered a case against Doctor Ranjit of ‘Animal Care’ under section 429 (Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal) of the IPC and section 11 (4) of prevention of cruelty to animal Act, 1960.
The dog was shifted to Animal care clinic located at in Banjara Hills where doctor Ranjit provided treatment. While the doctor was administering some injections, the dog died.
Would other countries like to share any such incidences.
Veterinary Malpractice
Vet causes harm to your pet through their incompetent treatment. However, damages awards in these cases tend to be relatively limited.
In the west many vets have started to carry medical malpractice insurance.
Proving that veterinary malpractice injured an animal is essentially the same as proving that medical malpractice injured a person. The owner of the pet would need to show that the vet was responsible for caring for the animal, and the vet did not meet the standard of a competent vet treating an animal in a similar situation.
This may involve hiring another vet to testify as an expert witness and explain what a competent vet would have done.
IPC 429. Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees.—Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless, any elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull, cow or ox, whatever may be the value thereof, or any other animal of the value of fifty rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.
Prevention of cruelty to animals act : “(c) wilfully and unreasonably administers any injurious drug or injurious substance to 2 [any animal] or wilfully and unreasonably causes or attempts to cause any such drug or substance to be taken by 2 [any animal]; or”
In both the applicable laws one will have to prove the intention and not the negligence.
Dr K K Aggarwal
healthysoch
