Lion Attack in Lahore: Owners Arrested After Escaped Pet Injures Woman and Children (video)

A woman and two children were attacked after this lion escaped from a house in Lahore, Pakistan by jumping a wall

The owners of a pet lion that escaped from a farmhouse and attacked a woman and two children in Lahore, Pakistan, have been arrested, according to local authorities. The incident took place in the Johar Town neighborhood on Thursday and has triggered widespread concern over illegal wildlife ownership in urban areas.

Security camera footage released by police captured the lion leaping over a concrete wall before ambushing a woman from behind in a residential alleyway, knocking her to the ground. A man then ran from the property with an object in hand and chased the lion off. Moments later, the lion attacked two young children, aged 5 and 7, further down the road.

The victims sustained injuries to their faces and arms and were taken to a nearby hospital. All three are now reported to be in stable condition.

According to Lahore police, the lion escaped through an open cage at the farmhouse. The animal was recaptured by its owners and transported in a vehicle as they attempted to flee to another district. Authorities later located and arrested three individuals, including the owner, on Friday morning.

Deputy Inspector General of Lahore Police Operations, Muhammad Faisal Kamran, confirmed the lion was seized and handed over to wildlife authorities. Police shared images of the suspects in custody and video footage of the lion being kept in a secure cage.

Initial reports indicate that the owner did not possess a legal license to keep the lion. Under the Punjab Wildlife Act, unauthorized possession of exotic or dangerous animals is punishable by up to seven years in prison or a fine of approximately $17,500.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of Pakistan’s lax enforcement of wildlife regulations. Owning exotic pets, particularly big cats, is considered a status symbol among wealthy individuals in Pakistan, although licenses are mandatory and such animals are legally required to be housed outside urban areas.

“This unfortunate incident highlights how wild animals are often kept in such places without a license or permission — with no legal procedures followed — endangering the lives of many people,” DIG Kamran stated.

In response, the Punjab government announced a province-wide crackdown on the illegal keeping of lions and other wild animals. So far, 13 lions have been confiscated and five individuals arrested for wildlife violations across the province.