Farmers welcomed a directive by the Madras High Court to the Tiruppur district administration and Animal Husbandry Department to determine the market value of goats and sheep killed in dog attacks for calculating compensation.

The Court issued the directive recently in a case pertaining to the death of six sheep and 10 goats in dog attacks at a farm in Mudalipalayam village earlier this year.

The directive asks the officials to award just, fair and reasonable compensation for the death of livestock based on the prevailing market rates and within a stipulated time frame.

In a representation to the High Court on September 14 seeking higher compensation, petitioner Somasundaram from Ganganaickenpalayam said the dog attack occurred on May 30, 2026. Dog attacks had become a recurring incident in Kangayam, Dharapuram, Madathukulam, Udumalpet, Palladam, Avinashi and Uthukuli blocks in Tiruppur district, he said.

Last year, the State government had fixed ₹6,000 as compensation for a goat or sheep killed by dogs. The compensation amount was ₹37,500 for a head of cattle, and ₹200 for a poultry bird.

According to farmers, however, the compensation was low. Depending on the breed, live goat prices is estimated to be in the range of ₹300-₹500 a kg. Going by this estimate, the price of an adult goat weighing 30 kg must be fixed as the minimum compensation, a livestock farmer in Kangayam said.