Street Incident: Loose Lion Assaults Woman and Children in Pakistan's City
In the bustling streets of Lahore, Pakistan, a pet lion caused chaos and fear when it chased a woman, two children, and then attacked them recently. The incident has highlighted the risks associated with keeping big cats as pets and prompted increased enforcement efforts by the Punjab Wildlife Department.
Current laws regulating the sale, purchase, breeding, and ownership of big cats as pets in Punjab are stringent, aiming to protect both public safety and wildlife conservation. Here's an overview of the key regulations:
1. **Ownership Restrictions**: Private individuals are generally not allowed to keep big cats as pets. Ownership is strictly limited to licensed breeding farms that meet specific standards, including proper enclosure sizes, access to open spaces, and routine veterinary supervision.
2. **Registration Requirements**: For those legally allowed to own big cats, a registration fee of Rs50,000 per big cat is required, along with annual renewals.
3. **Prohibition on Residential Areas**: Keeping big cats inside residential homes or in densely populated urban areas is expressly prohibited due to safety risks.
4. **Penalties for Violations**: Unauthorised possession of dangerous wild animals is a non-bailable offence, carrying a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs5 million.
5. **Reporting Mechanism**: The public is encouraged to report illegal possession of exotic wildlife by contacting the Wildlife Helpline at 1107.
The Punjab Wildlife Department has launched a verification drive to enforce compliance with these regulations and has undertaken a province-wide crackdown on illegal private ownership of exotic animals. The recent incident involving the pet lion has underscored the importance of these measures.
Following the attack, the 11-month-old male lion involved has been confiscated by police. The suspects fled with the lion after the attack and were arrested within 12 hours. Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Keeping exotic animals, including big cats, as pets is considered a symbol of privilege and power in Punjab, Pakistan. However, the owners of the lion were present during the attack and appeared amused, a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of these regulations.
All three victims were taken to the hospital but were not in critical condition. Officials at the wildlife park report that the lion appears to be in good health. The confiscated lion has been sent to a wildlife park.
This incident prompted the provincial government to pass new laws regulating the sale, purchase, breeding, and ownership of big cats, including requiring owners to obtain licenses and prohibiting keeping big cats in residential areas. The new laws aim to ensure the safety of the public and the well-being of these majestic creatures.
In a similar incident in December 2024, an adult lion escaped from its enclosure in another neighbourhood of Lahore and was shot dead by a security guard. This underscores the importance of strict regulations and enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future.
- Strict regulations governing the sale, purchase, breeding, and ownership of big cats in Punjab, such as ownership being limited to licensed breeding farms and a registration fee required, aim to ensure public safety and wildlife conservation, given the recent incident involving a pet lion causing chaos and attacks.
- In light of the pet lion attack and subsequent arrests, the new laws in Punjab will require owners of big cats to obtain licenses and ban keeping big cats in residential areas, following the provincial government's efforts to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of the public and the well-being of these majestic creatures.
