LAHORE: The police arrested a suspect believed to be one of the owners of a pet lion which attacked and injured two kids and their mother late on Thursday night in Johar Town area.

The arrest came following a joint investigations launched by the police and wildlife departments.

The police lodged a case against the owners of the farmhouse under the Wildlife Act for keeping the wild animal (lion) without a licence and committing criminal negligence leading to the escape of the animal and subsequent injuries.

A police official said that a suspect was arrested on Friday from the Shah Di Khui area of Lahore for illegally keeping the lion that attacked a family and injured three people. He said the footage showed the pet lion leaping over a wall, chasing and attacking a family in a busy street.

The big cat could be seen pouncing on the woman and two kids. The video clips which later went viral on social media brought to fore the culture of keeping wild animals in populated localities.

The head of the attacked family told the police that the lion attacked his five-year-old and seven-year-old children, and clawed their arms and faces and injured their mother.

The dramatic escape of the wild big cat also led to panic among passersby and local residents who could be seen running for safety.

The official said wildlife-trained staff managed to track down and capture the lion after hours-long efforts. The official said the FIR was registered against Malik Bahram under sections of the Wildlife Act and attempted murder.

A wildlife official said that keeping a lion without a license was a non-bailable offence, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs5 million.

Lahore Deputy Chief Wildlife Officer Adnan Wirk told mediapersons that the suspect(s) had not obtained the required permit and also failed to meet safety regulations. He urged citizens to immediately report any illegally kept wild animal to their helpline (1107). Meanwhile, a judicial magistrate at Model Town courts on Friday ordered the transfer of lion to the Safari Park.

Judicial Magistrate Hassan Sarfraz Cheema heard an application filed by the Wildlife Department.

Wildlife Inspector Umair Ali presented the case challan in the court. He said the accused had been keeping an African lion illegally, which later attacked and injured multiple individuals. He said the owner/possessor of the lion had been arrested following the registration of an FIR.

The inspector requested that the lion be shifted to the Safari Park for public safety and proper care.

After reviewing the case record, the magistrate allowed the application and ordered the wildlife department to transfer the lion safely to the Safari Park, Lahore.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025