Pet lion owner arrested after jumping off a wall and attacking a woman and two children in Pakistan
The owner of the pet lion jumped up and attacked a woman and two children in the Pakistani city of Lahore, and has been arrested.
The woman and her two 5 and 7-year-old children were taken to hospital after raiding in an alley while escaping at a farmhouse near John Town on Thursday.
Security camera footage released by police showed the lion crossing the concrete wall and slamming a woman from behind, knocking her to the ground. A man can be seen running out of the property of the lion's escape with the object in his hand, then driving the lion away from the woman, and then wild cats are increasing on the road to further attack the child.
According to the Associated Press News, their face and weapons were injured, but they are in stable condition now.
Lahore police said in a video posted to social media that the lion had escaped from an open cage in the farmhouse and the homeowner recaptured it, who quickly placed it in a car and hid in another area.
The Lahore Police Deputy Inspector General Muhammad Faisal Kamran said three people were arrested on Friday morning. “We also captured the lion and transferred it to the wildlife authorities,” Kamran said.
Lahore police shared images of three men in police cell and lion videos in cages.
Local media reported that the owners did not retain a lion's license and would sue under the Wildlife Act, meaning they could face up to seven years in prison or a fine of $17,500. CNN seeks confirmation from the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Ministry.
Owning a wild cat as a pet is considered a symbol of status in Pakistan, which is not uncommon, but requires permission and the big cat must be kept outside the city limits.
“This unfortunate incident underscores how wildlife threatens the lives of many people without a permit or permission (without legal proceedings)” Kamran said.
The Punjab government announced on Sunday that it would carry out a provincial crackdown on those without a license to lions. So far, 13 lions have been captured and arrested for violating wildlife regulations.
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