A tragic incident in Lahore has once again highlighted the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets. An eight-year-old boy lost his arm after being attacked by a pet lion at a private farm in the Sabzazar area. The incident occurred on Saturday and was confirmed by a spokesperson for Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. This is the second such lion attack reported in Lahore within just two days, raising serious concerns about safety and regulation.
According to police officials, the boy was playing near the farm when he wandered close to the lion’s enclosure. The cage was reportedly unsafe and poorly secured. Police said the attack happened due to clear negligence on the part of the animal’s owners. As the child approached the enclosure, the lion managed to attack him, causing severe injuries.
Unsafe Enclosure and Owner Negligence Blamed
Police investigations revealed that the lion was being kept in an insecure cage that did not meet safety standards. Authorities stated that proper precautions were not taken to protect visitors, especially children, at the farm. The lack of safety measures directly contributed to the incident.
After the attack, the injured boy was rushed to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in critical condition. Doctors assessed that his injuries were extremely severe. Due to the extent of the damage, surgeons were left with no option but to amputate his arm to save his life.
A hospital spokesperson confirmed that the operation was successful. The child’s condition has improved following the surgery. Doctors said the boy is now out of danger but will require long-term medical care and psychological support.
Arrests Made After the Incident
Following the attack, police arrested two individuals identified as Umar and Ali. Both were responsible for the care and handling of the lion. Authorities said further legal action would be taken after completing the investigation.
Police officials stressed that keeping wild animals like lions without proper licenses and safety arrangements is a serious crime. They added that strict action would be taken against those found violating wildlife laws.
Second Lion Attack in Lahore Within Days
The incident comes just two days after a similar attack in Lahore’s Bhekewal Pind area. On Thursday, an eight-year-old girl was injured after being attacked by a pet lioness. She sustained injuries to her leg and ear and was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment.
In that case, the animal’s owners were also arrested, and the lioness was taken into custody by authorities. Both incidents have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal Wildlife Possession
Last year, the Punjab Wildlife Department launched a major crackdown against illegal wildlife possession across the province. In July, authorities recovered 13 lions and arrested five individuals after a pet lion escaped and injured three people in Lahore.
The operation was initiated on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Officials said the campaign targets individuals keeping dangerous animals without valid licenses. Authorities have warned that the crackdown will continue to prevent further tragedies.
The recent attacks have once again exposed the risks of illegally keeping wild animals in residential and recreational areas. Law enforcement agencies say stronger monitoring and public awareness are urgently needed to avoid such incidents in the future.
