Police Arrest Lion Owner After Attack in Lahore

A terrifying incident unfolded in Lahore’s Shah Di Khui area, where a pet lion escaped from a private farmhouse and attacked a nearby family. The lion, owned illegally by a local man named Malik Bahram, caused panic and serious injuries before being captured by wildlife officials.

According to police reports, the lion was kept in an unsecured enclosure at a private farmhouse in Johar Town. On Friday afternoon, the wild animal broke free, leaped over a wall, and entered a nearby street where a woman and two children were walking.

Witnesses say the lion first attacked the woman before turning to the children. Neighbors rushed to help, and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene.

The victims—a woman in her 30s, 5-year-old Zoya, and 7-year-old Azhan—were rushed to Jinnah Hospital. Hospital officials later confirmed that the two children are in critical condition with deep bite wounds and fractures. Doctors are monitoring them closely.

Following the incident, Lahore Police arrested Malik Bahram, son of Malik Nazim, at the farmhouse. He was taken into custody for keeping a wild animal without a legal license. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him under multiple sections of the Punjab Wildlife Act and Section 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Authorities also named two other individuals in the FIR:

• Malik Azam Shani

• Malik Ghulam Murtaza

Both are accused of assisting Bahram in illegally acquiring and housing the lion.

The Punjab Wildlife Department confirmed that the lion was being kept without proper permits, which is a non-bailable offense under the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act.

Officials stated that:

• Keeping a lion without a license is punishable by up to seven years in prison

• It also carries a fine of up to Rs. 5 million

Wildlife officers seized the lion and transferred it to a sanctuary for safety and proper care. They emphasized that this was a clear violation of wildlife safety rules and public safety regulations.

This incident has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the growing trend of keeping exotic animals as pets in residential neighborhoods.

In response, the Punjab government announced a province-wide crackdown on illegal wildlife ownership. Wildlife and law enforcement agencies will work together to identify and penalize people who keep dangerous animals without permission.

The Wildlife Department is urging citizens to report illegal ownership of wild animals by calling their helpline at 1107. Officials say public cooperation is essential to prevent similar tragedies.