Pet Lion Owners Detained After Public Attack in Lahore

In Lahore, the shocking incident involving a pet lion attack on a woman and her children has led to the arrest of the lion's owners, who are now facing charges of negligence and illegal wildlife possession.

Police in Lahore, Pakistan, have detained the owners of a lion after it escaped and attacked a woman and her three young children, causing injuries. The incident unfolded as dramatic CCTV footage revealed the lion leaping over a wall and pursuing the woman. Thankfully, the victims, aged five and seven, have been reported as stable after sustaining injuries to their arms and faces.

Despite legal provisions allowing the ownership of big cats as pets in Pakistan, the families of the victims are calling out the negligence displayed by the owners, who allegedly did nothing to restrain their animal as it clawed at the family. In response to the growing concerns about illegal wildlife ownership, authorities have initiated a crackdown, leading to the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of 13 lions in recent days.

In 2023, a popular Pakistani YouTuber was also penalized for owning a lion cub illegally, further spotlighting the ongoing debate around wildlife ownership and the responsibilities that come with it, as Pakistan navigates the complexities of exotic pet ownership in urban settings.