In Lahore, Pakistan, police have arrested the owners of a pet lion that attacked a woman and her three children after the animal escaped. This incident has triggered a crackdown on illegal wildlife ownership in the region.
Owners of Pet Lion Arrested Following Attack on Woman and Children in Lahore
Owners of Pet Lion Arrested Following Attack on Woman and Children in Lahore
A lion, kept as a pet in Lahore, attacked a woman and her children, leading to the arrest of its owners for negligence and illegal ownership.
Police in Lahore, Pakistan, have taken into custody the owners of a pet lion that viciously attacked a woman and her three young children after escaping from a fenced area. The incident, captured on dramatic CCTV footage, depicts the lion leaping over a concrete wall and pursuing the woman, causing panic among bystanders. Authorities report that the woman and her children, ages five and seven, sustained injuries, particularly to their arms and faces, but are currently in stable condition.
Following the attack, police charged the lion's owners with keeping a wild animal without the necessary permits and with negligence that led to the animal's escape. The authorities subsequently captured the lion and relocated it to a wildlife park to ensure public safety.
In Pakistan, possessing exotic big cats is considered a status symbol among some citizens, where owning animals such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs is legally permissible. However, this practice typically requires official registration and a fee of 50,000 rupees (approximately $176 or £129) per animal, with additional regulations mandating that such animals should be kept outside city limits.
The father of the attacked children expressed outrage, claiming that the lion's owners did nothing while their pet mauled his family during the attack. The footage shows the woman attempting to escape while onlookers fled in fear.
In response to this incident and growing concerns about wildlife ownership, Punjab authorities have initiated a crackdown on illegal possession of exotic animals. Reports indicate that five individuals have been arrested, and 13 lions have been recovered in a crackdown that may extend further. In a related case earlier this year, a social media influencer was mandated to create animal welfare content as punishment for unlawfully possessing a lion cub, emphasizing the ongoing complexities surrounding wildlife ownership and safety in Pakistan.
