An 11-month-old pet lion in Johar Town, Lahore, is shown in disturbing video jumping over its cage and viciously attacking a woman carrying groceries and two small children, ages five and seven. After knocking the woman to the ground, the lion turned on the kids and began to paw at their cheeks and limbs. Remarkably, none are in critical condition after being rushed to hospital.
Owners Watch Instead of Intervene
Family members report that the lion’s owners, who fled the scene with the animal, seemed more amused than alarmed by the incident. This flippant attitude, captured on CCTV, has sparked outrage.
Quick Law Enforcement Reaction
Three suspects—including the lion’s keepers—were captured by police in less than a day. Officials said the lion, which was taken into custody, looks healthy after being moved to a wildlife park. Authorities are pursuing charges including attempted murder and violations under Punjab’s Wildlife Act, with penalties reaching up to seven years in prison and fines as high as PKR 5 million.
Regulatory Fallout and Public Outcry
This terrifying incident adds to growing concern in Punjab over the perils of exotic pet ownership. In December 2024, another lion escape triggered regulatory reforms—now requiring owners to maintain 10-acre farms and secure costly licenses. The recent attack has reignited demands for stricter enforcement of wildlife laws and tighter controls.
