A thrilling incident occurred in Lahore, Pakistan, where a pet lion actually chased and bit people right on the main street of a residential area!
This incident took place on July 6. According to widely circulated CCTV footage, a woman and her two children, aged 5 and 7, were walking down an alley when they were suddenly attacked by the lion. All three suffered bite wounds to their faces and arms and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Fortunately, their injuries are currently stable.
Local police told media that after the lion escaped, its three owners not only failed to stop it, but stood by watching and made no attempt to control it. According to the children's father, who called the police, the three even tried to shove the lion into a truck, planning to flee to a neighboring area. However, they were eventually stopped and arrested by the police.
Lahore police also confirmed on social media that the lion has been captured and handed over to the wildlife department for handling. Police have charged the owners with lacking a legal license to keep the animal, and with negligence that led to the lion's escape and attack. The three are currently under investigation.
In Pakistan, owning a lion is seen by some wealthy individuals as a status symbol. Although the law allows private citizens to apply for permits to keep predators, they must complete the registration process and pay a fee of $176. However, in city areas like Lahore, keeping lions is not permitted.
Meanwhile, according to reports from CNN and the BBC, if convicted, the lion's owners could face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to $17,500.
Following the incident’s exposure, the Punjab provincial government also announced a full-scale crackdown on illegal keeping of wild animals. According to BBC statistics, five people have so far been arrested, thirteen lions have been confiscated, and authorities are urging the public not to keep predators as pets.