Escaped Pet Lion Mauls Boy, Injures Rescuer in Western Thailand

KANCHANABURI, Oct 6 (TNA) - A 14-month-old female pet lion escaped its enclosure in Kanchanaburi province on Saturday night, injuring two people.

The lion attacked an 11-year-old boy around 9:30 p.m., leaving him with severe gashes and a deep bite wound on his right hip.

A 43-year-old man, Sarawut, bravely intervened, repeatedly punching the lion’s head until it released the child and turned on him. Sarawut sustained scratches on his leg that required four stitches. Local residents reported this was the third time the lion had gotten loose.

The owner, identified as Parinya, claimed he had chained the lion outside while renovating its cage, which officials had previously deemed "old and structurally unsound." The owner, who had gained a following by posting videos of his pet on social media, apologized and vowed to cover all medical expenses.

Authorities have sedated and seized the animal, transporting it to a wildlife center. Parinya, who possesses legal documents for the lion, must cover all relocation and upkeep costs. He now faces two charges, one under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act and another under the Penal Code, which could result in jail time and significant fines. -819 (TNA)