In an unusual and tragic incident, a three-year-old boy lost his life after being hit on the head by a turtle that fell from a high-rise apartment in Shaoguan, Guangdong province, China.
The incident occurred in December 2024 while the child was playing with his parents in an open ground-floor area of their residential complex.
Child Could Not Be Saved
Despite being rushed to the hospital, the child could not be saved, according to a statement from the Shaoguan Intermediate Court reported by China Daily on Monday, 9 June 2025.
Turtle Was a Resident’s Pet
It was revealed by the court that the turtle belonged to a resident surnamed Zhang, who lived in one of the upper units in the same apartment building.
According to reports, the court ruled that Zhang had failed to properly manage his pet, leading to the tragic outcome.
Pet Owner Held Liable When Causing Harm to Others
Under China’s Civil Code, pet owners are held liable when their animals cause harm, unless they can prove that the victim acted intentionally or with negligence, which the court found was not the case here.
Parents Filed Lawsuit After Talks Failed
Initially, the child’s parents tried to reach a private settlement with Zhang, the building’s property management company, and its insurance provider.
However, negotiations were unsuccessful. Following the breakdown in talks, the parents filed a lawsuit.
The court reviewed the responsibilities of all involved but ultimately ruled out claims against the property company and the insurer, concluding there was no proof of negligence or violation of safety regulations.
Pet Owner Ordered to Pay S$228K
In January 2025, the Wujiang District Court found Zhang solely responsible for the child’s death and ordered him to pay 1.28 million yuan in compensation (approx. S$229K).
Zhang initially appealed against the ruling. However, following further negotiations, the Shaoguan Intermediate Court upheld the original ruling and finalized the settlement.
The agreement allows Zhang a 30-day grace period before he must begin compensation payments in installments.
Authorities Warn Public to Secure Balcony Items
The unusual case has renewed public discussion around safety responsibilities in high-rise residential living.
Local authorities urged residents to secure pets and personal belongings on balconies to avoid potentially fatal accidents.
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