Owner charged after escaped lion terrorizes Lahore streets

Police in Pakistan's second-largest city charged a man with illegally keeping a lion as a pet after the animal escaped and was shot dead by the owner's security guard on Saturday, highlighting the growing trend of exotic pet ownership in the South Asian nation.

Ali Imran was charged under wildlife protection laws after investigators determined he had instructed the guard to shoot the African lion when it escaped during feeding time, police said Sunday. The security guard was also charged.

The incident occurred in Harbanspura, a residential area of Lahore, where keeping wild animals as pets has become increasingly common among wealthy residents despite regulations prohibiting the practice.

Wildlife officials filed the case under The Punjab Wildlife Protection Act, which restricts the private ownership of dangerous wild animals. If convicted, both men could face penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Police officials alleged that Imran was operating an illegal big cat breeding operation from his residence.

The lion escaped when its cage door was opened for feeding, creating panic in the densely populated neighborhood as it roamed the streets. According to police reports, Imran instructed the security guard to use lethal force rather than wait for wildlife officials to attempt capture.

Big cats, bigger problems

The case has reignited debate about exotic pet ownership in Pakistan's urban centers, where enforcement of wildlife protection laws has been inconsistent. Wildlife advocates have long argued that the practice endangers both the animals and local residents, pointing to a string of similar incidents across the country.

In May, four lions escaped from a traveling circus in Sheikhupura after storm winds damaged their cage. The incident sparked panic as the big cats entered a nearby plaza, prompting some residents to arm themselves with sticks before the animals were safely recaptured by circus staff and rescue workers.

In February, a leopard, believed to have escaped from a safari park, evaded capture for over five hours in Islamabad's upscale Defence Housing Authority. Wildlife officials eventually had to use tranquilizers to subdue the animal after failing to lure it into a cage.

Wildlife experts say these incidents underscore the inadequacy of current regulations and their enforcement regarding exotic pet ownership in Pakistan, where keeping big cats has become a status symbol among the wealthy despite the clear dangers to public safety.