Lion attack: Woman and children injured in Lahore

The astonishing and terrifying incident that occurred in Lahore, Pakistan, sparked widespread shock in the community. A pet lion, kept by its owners, got out of control on city streets and attacked a woman and her three young children. The event ended with locals gripped by fear, the children screaming, and bystanders fleeing in panic.

Surveillance footage shows exactly how the giant predator easily leaped over a wall and tracked down the woman accompanied by two children. In their attempt to escape, the woman and her children were unfortunately caught under the lion’s claws due to the lack of barriers.

According to official reports, the woman and her children, aged 5 and 7, sustained serious injuries, particularly to their faces and arms. Fortunately, they are currently hospitalized and are said to be in stable condition.

Following the incident, the police filed a criminal case against the lion’s owners. They are accused of “keeping a wild animal without proper license” and “negligently endangering public safety.” During the investigation, it was revealed that the lion was illegally kept within city limits and was inadequately restrained.

This event triggered widespread discussion in local media and on social networks. In an interview, the children’s father said:

“When the lion was attacking us, its owners did not intervene at all. They were just standing aside and did not try to stop the animal,” he said bitterly.

The video captures the woman getting up after falling, running to seek help, while people scatter in panic.

In Pakistan, it is legal to keep predators such as lions, leopards, tigers, pumas, and even jaguars as private pets, but it requires official registration and a one-time fee of 50,000 rupees (about $176). However, the law also stipulates that these animals must be housed outside city areas. It was the breach of this rule that complicated the situation.

After this incident, the Punjab provincial government launched a comprehensive crackdown on illegal wildlife possession. So far, five individuals have been arrested, and 13 lions have been seized.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first such case. In January of this year, a prominent Pakistani YouTube blogger, Rajab Butt, was penalized for keeping a lion cub without a permit. He was ordered to produce videos promoting animal welfare.

These incidents demonstrate that, in the country, keeping wild predators as pets is often perceived as a status symbol. However, such events clearly show the threat this practice poses to public safety.

Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!