In Laos, if a dog bites someone, must the owner pay compensation? How much?
在老挝养狗咬伤人，主人要赔吗？赔多少？
ໃນລາວລ້ຽງໝາກັດຄົນ ເຈົ້າຂອງຕ້ອງຊົດເຊີຍບໍ? ຊົດເຊີຍເທົ່າໃດ?
Published: 2026-07-30 · LaoPaniti legal guides
"Your dog bit someone!" — In Laos, whether it's a guard dog or a pet dog, once it gets out of control and injures someone, the owner will likely have to pay. Recently, a Chinese business owner in Vientiane kept a large dog without a leash, and it bit a neighbor's child. The child's family directly claimed medical expenses. So, what does Lao law actually say? Must the owner pay compensation?
1. What does the law say? The owner is generally liable
According to the relevant provisions on tort liability in the Lao Civil Code, the owner or keeper of an animal shall bear liability for compensation for damages caused by the animal. Simply put: the dog is yours, it bites someone, you pay compensation. Even if the dog temporarily ran out, as long as it was not leashed or properly supervised, the owner usually cannot escape liability.
In addition, the Law on Land Transport specifically prohibits the free grazing of various livestock along roads. If livestock (including dogs) run onto the road and cause a traffic accident, the owner or possessor of the livestock is also liable for damages. Therefore, if you keep a dog without a leash and it runs onto the road causing a car accident, the owner still has to pay compensation.
2. If bitten by a dog, how is compensation specifically calculated?
There is no fixed standard for the amount of compensation. It generally includes: medical expenses (vaccinations, wound cleaning, hospitalization, etc.), lost wages, transportation costs, and in serious cases, may also involve compensation for mental damages. In practice, the parties can negotiate a settlement; if negotiation fails, they can proceed with legal procedures.
Advice for owners:
- Always leash your dog when going out and supervise the animal properly;
- In the event of an injury, immediately seek medical treatment and keep all medical receipts;
- Compensation can be negotiated, but do not evade responsibility, otherwise you may be sued in court.
Advice for the bitten party:
- Immediately take photos of the injury and keep treatment records;
- Report to the police or seek mediation from the village committee, and preserve evidence;
- If negotiation fails, you can file a lawsuit for damages under Lao law.
3. Real case reminder: Don't wait until an accident to regret
Similar disputes are not uncommon in Laos. Previously, a Chinese investor in Laos kept a dog on a farm without a leash, and it bit a passing villager. The owner ended up paying tens of millions of kip in medical expenses. In another case, a dog ran onto the road causing a motorcycle accident, and the owner was ordered to pay for vehicle repair costs and the victim's medical expenses.
To learn more about cases of damages in Laos, you can check our previous articles: "Don't panic if you have a car accident in Laos; these steps can help you avoid losses" and "Can you return or exchange defective products bought in Laos? The rules are different from China".
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This article is compiled by LaoPaniti for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
FAQ
After a dog bite, can the owner refuse to pay compensation on the grounds that "the dog was given by someone else"?
No. According to the relevant provisions of the Lao Civil Code, the keeper of an animal is also liable. As long as you are actually keeping the dog, even if you are not the owner, you are responsible.
After being bitten by a dog, should I report to the police first or go to the hospital first?
It is recommended to go to the hospital first to treat the wound and get vaccinated, while keeping all medical receipts. After that, you can report to the police or seek mediation from the village committee to secure evidence.
If the dog bite was caused by the victim's intentional provocation, does the owner still have to pay compensation?
If the victim intentionally provoked the dog and was bitten, the owner may claim reduction or exemption of liability, but must provide evidence. In practice, it is usually recommended to settle through negotiation, and the specific outcome depends on the judgment of the Lao court.
Legal basis
- 《老挝民法典》第相关条款条
- 《老挝陆路交通法》第相关条款条
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