By Diana George
Chaos broke out on a busy street in Lahore when an 11-month-old pet lion escaped its enclosure and attacked a woman and two children, according to a police statement on Friday. Surveillance footage aired by local media captured the terrifying moments: the lion leapt over a barrier, chased a woman carrying shopping bags, and then pounced on her back, knocking her down. As a child attempted to flee, the lion continued to pursue other pedestrians, sparking panic in the area. The injured family, including children aged five and seven, was taken to hospital. While their injuries were not life-threatening, police said they suffered wounds to their arms and faces. A police statement cited by AFP quoted the children鈥檚 father, who alleged that the lion鈥檚 owners seemed to enjoy the chaos. According to the report, 鈥淭he lion attacked his kids aged five and seven years, after injuring the mother, causing injuries to their arms and faces.鈥 The father also alleged in the complaint that 鈥渢he lion’s owners appeared entertained by the attack on pedestrians.鈥 Lahore police arrested three suspects on Friday in connection with the attack. 鈥淭he suspects departed with the lion but were apprehended within 12 hours of the incident,鈥 the Deputy Inspector General of Operations in Lahore told AFP. Authorities have seized the lion and transferred it to a wildlife sanctuary. Officials at the sanctuary confirmed the animal is in healthy condition. The incident has once again spotlighted the dangers of keeping exotic animals as pets in Pakistan 鈥 especially in Punjab, where owning big cats is often seen as a display of wealth and power. A similar episode in December 2024 saw a security guard fatally shoot an escaped adult lion in another part of Lahore, triggering public panic and a review of regulations. Since then, the provincial government has introduced stricter rules on the ownership, breeding, and trade of large felines. Pet lions are banned in residential areas, and only licensed breeders with farms of at least 10 acres are permitted to keep them. Owners must also pay significant registration fees under the updated rules.