A disturbing incident unfolded in Lahore, Pakistan, when a pet lion escaped from its owner’s farmhouse and attacked a woman and her two children on a busy street. The terrifying moment was captured on CCTV footage, showing the 11-month-old male lion leaping over a wall and pouncing on the woman, knocking her to the ground before targeting the children. The lion clawed at the faces and arms of the 5-year-old and 7-year-old children, leaving them seriously injured.
The victims were rushed to a local hospital, where they received treatment for their injuries, fortunately not life-threatening. Authorities swiftly responded to the incident, arresting three individuals, including the lion’s owner, and confiscating the animal. The lion was later relocated to a wildlife park, where officials confirmed it was in good health.
This incident has sparked a crackdown on exotic pet owners in the region, particularly those keeping big cats. The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has arrested several individuals and seized multiple lions for violating ownership regulations. Keeping exotic animals as pets is seen as a status symbol in some parts of Pakistan, but incidents like this raise concerns about public safety and animal welfare.
The father of the injured children expressed frustration that the lion’s owners did not intervene during the attack, stating they “just watched as the lion tore into them, doing absolutely nothing to help”. This incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future.
