Paw and order! Dogs destroy new sandals; owner walks away ₹5,000 richer

PALAKKAD: Social activist Boban Mattumantha secures a courtroom victory against a footwear company after a temple trip went hound-shaped. It started with a stray dog and a chewed-up strap, but it ended in a total courtroom triumph. A social and environmental activist has proved that when a footwear company digs its heels in, you don't just walk away—you sue.

Boban Mattumantha, from Palakkad, has managed to turn a ₹690 footwear disaster into a ₹5,000 windfall, plus a shiny new pair of slippers, following a successful legal battle. The compensation was agreed upon during a consumer court-mandated mediation discussion with a manufacturing company based in Kozhikode.

Temple trouble

The drama kicked off on October 20, 2025, when Boban and his wife, Rimna, purchased a fresh pair of slippers from a shop on B.O.C. Road in Palakkad. Eager to try them out, Boban wore his new purchase that very evening for a visit to the Puthur temple with his wife.

As is customary, Boban removed his slippers before entering the temple premises to pray. But while he was focusing on his spiritual duties, a local stray dog was focusing on his footwear. When Boban returned, he discovered to his horror that a canine culprit had bitten and torn the slipper's strap.

Digging their heels in

Determined to save his day-old shoes, Boban visited local shoe repairers the following day. However, none of them could track down the exact brown material needed to fix the damaged strap.

Refusing to give up, Boban took his grievance straight to the source. He messaged the manufacturing company via WhatsApp, informing them that they should repair the slipper and that he was willing to bear the entire cost. He also stated that if they simply provided the raw material, he would fix the slipper himself. But the company refused to budge.

Victory For the Consumer

That proved to be a step too far for the activist. Boban took the matter straight to the District Consumer Court, represented by his lawyer, Ratheesh Gopalan.

The court promptly issued notices to the opposing parties, forcing company representatives to the negotiating table.

Following two rounds of mediation discussions, the footwear firm finally buckled. During the second meeting, a final agreement was reached to provide Boban with both full compensation of ₹5,000 and a brand-new pair of slippers.