Lahore boy loses arm after ‘pet’ lion attacks at a breeding farm

LAHORE: In another disturbing incident involving a captive wild animal, an eight-year-old boy was seriously injured after being attacked by a ‘pet’ lion in Lahore’s Sabzazar area.

According to police, the incident occurred near an 80-Foot Road in Sabzazar, where the child, identified as Wajid Ali, wandered close to caged lions while playing. Due to what officials described as inadequate enclosures and negligence on the part of the owners, one of the lions attacked the boy and severely mauled his arm.

A spokesperson for the DIG Operations said the owners attempted to conceal the incident from the police. The injured child was initially taken to a nearby hospital, where attendants reportedly told doctors that his hand had been caught in a machine. Medical staff later discovered that the injuries were caused by an animal attack.

Doctors were forced to amputate the child’s arm in an effort to save his life. Upon receiving information through independent sources, a police team led by the SP Iqbal Town reached the hospital and launched an investigation.

Authorities take immediate action, arrest owners

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran took immediate notice of the incident and ordered strict legal action against those responsible. Police traced the incident to a private breeding facility in the Sabzazar area, described as a Dolla breeding farm.

The police spokesperson said the attack was the result of poor safety arrangements and the owners’ failure to follow regulations governing the keeping of wild animals. The suspects were arrested shortly after the incident.

The injured child has since been shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for specialised treatment and further medical care. Authorities said investigations were ongoing and vowed to take firm action to prevent similar incidents in the future.