Pitbull Attacks Child in Bandung, Sahroni Says Owner Can Be Prosecuted for Negligence
Deputy Chairman of House Commission III Ahmad Sahroni has highlighted the case of a pitbull that attacked a nine-year-old girl, leaving her with injuries requiring surgery, at the Grand Cendana Residen complex in Wargaluyu Village, Arjasari District, Bandung Regency. Sahroni stressed that the dog’s owner could be prosecuted.
“The suspected dog owner can very much be prosecuted under the article on negligence causing injury to a child, in this case bitten by the dog and ultimately requiring surgery,” Sahroni said when contacted on Tuesday (25/8/2026).
Sahroni said the dog owner could be charged under Article 474 of the new Criminal Code. Under that article, a dog owner can be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined up to tens of millions of rupiah.
The article reads as follows:
Article 474
Any person who through negligence causes another person injury resulting in illness or an impediment to carrying out their office, livelihood, or profession for a certain period shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of one year or a fine of at most category II.
Any person who through negligence causes another person serious injury shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of three years or a fine of at most category III.
Any person who through negligence causes the death of another person shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of five years or a fine of at most category V.
“The pitbull owner must bear full responsibility for that negligence,” Sahroni added.
Furthermore, the NasDem Party treasurer expressed hope that this case would serve as a lesson for other dog owners. “This must be a concern for those who own dogs. They must be careful, keep them in a cage or inside the house and never let them out. It is very dangerous,” he said.
As previously reported, a nine-year-old girl was the victim of a pitbull attack at the Grand Cendana Residen complex in Wargaluyu Village, Arjasari District, Bandung Regency. The victim suffered serious injuries.
According to detikJabar, the incident occurred on Sunday (23/8). The event was captured on CCTV and went viral on social media.
In the circulating video footage, the victim is seen being attacked suddenly in front of her house. Several residents at the scene immediately tried to help by throwing objects at the dog until it released its bite.
Police from Pameungpeuk Police Station immediately launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred at around 5.08 p.m. Western Indonesia Time.
“Yes, the incident happened yesterday at around 5.08 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. We immediately went to the scene and conducted an investigation,” said Pameungpeuk Police Chief Commissioner Asep Dedi, as quoted by detikJabar on Monday (24/8).