A man and his wife were attacked by a pit bull in Ghuman Nagar, Patiala, on August 12, 2026. The couple were visiting a house they wanted to rent when the dog bit them. The incident was reported by local media and sparked a debate about pet owners’ responsibilities.
Many pet owners think insurance only covers veterinary costs. In reality, some pet‑insurance policies also include third‑party liability (TPL) cover. This part of the policy can pay compensation and legal fees if a pet injures a stranger or damages property.
Third‑party liability starts from the first day of the policy and has no waiting period. It covers bodily injury, sickness, death or property damage caused by the pet to anyone outside the owner’s household.
Bajaj General Insurance’s Chief Technical Officer, Amarnath Saxena, explained that the policy can be customised. Owners can choose coverage for surgeries, fractures, hospitalisation, mortality, long‑term care, OPD, theft or loss, and TPL.
If a pet bites someone, the owner may face large compensation claims. TPL protects against those costs and also covers legal defence expenses up to the insured sum.
However, the cover does not apply to people who have a professional duty of care for the pet, such as trainers, veterinarians, breeders or kennel staff. These exclusions are meant to protect against accidental incidents, not intentional actions.
Pet owners should read the policy terms carefully. Knowing who counts as a third party, the limits of coverage and the exclusions will help avoid surprises when a claim is filed.
In the Patiala case, the victim, Ankit Sabharwal, said he was simply looking at a rental property when the dog attacked. If the owner had TPL, he might have avoided large out‑of‑pocket costs.
The incident reminds pet owners that owning a dog or cat carries more than health responsibilities. It also carries legal responsibility if the animal harms someone else.
Choosing a policy with TPL can give owners peace of mind. It ensures that, in case of an accident, compensation and legal costs are handled by the insurer, not by the owner alone.
Pet owners in India should now consider TPL as part of their overall protection plan, especially in areas where stray or aggressive dogs are common.