Authorities in Lahore, Pakistan, have arrested the owners of a pet lion that escaped from a farmhouse and attacked a woman and her two young children in a quiet alleyway. The shocking incident has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of unlicensed exotic animal ownership in the country.

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The attack occurred in the Johar Town neighborhood when the lion leapt over a concrete wall and ambushed the woman from behind, captured clearly in security footage shared by police. The woman was knocked to the ground while a man rushed out from the property, chasing the lion away with an object in hand. Moments later, the wild animal turned toward two nearby children, aged 5 and 7, inflicting injuries to their faces and arms before running further down the street.

All three victims were rushed to a hospital and are now reported to be in stable condition, according to the Associated Press.

Police say the lion had escaped from an open cage inside the farmhouse. After the incident, the owners allegedly recaptured the animal, placed it into a vehicle, and fled the area to avoid arrest. The lion was later secured and handed over to wildlife officials.

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Muhammad Faisal Kamran, Deputy Inspector General of Lahore Police Operations, confirmed that three individuals were arrested Friday morning. “We’ve also captured the lion and transferred it to Wildlife authorities,” Kamran stated in a police video posted to social media.

Police released images showing the lion in a cage and the arrested men in custody. According to local reports, the lion’s owner did not have the proper license to possess a wild cat and now faces charges under Pakistan’s Wildlife Act. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison or a fine equivalent to $17,500.

In response to the growing problem of illegal exotic animal ownership, the Punjab government has announced a province-wide crackdown. So far, 13 lions have been seized and five individuals arrested as part of this ongoing enforcement effort.

Owning lions and other large cats is seen by some in Pakistan as a status symbol, despite the dangers. Laws require that such animals be licensed and housed outside city limits, but these regulations are often ignored. Officials hope that stricter enforcement will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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“This unfortunate incident highlights how wild animals are often kept in such places without a license, or permission — with no legal procedures followed — endangering the lives of many people,” Kamran said.