Pet Lion Injures Three in Shocking Rampage in Lahore

News Desk

Lahore: Panic gripped the Shah Di Khui area of Lahore on Thursday when a pet lion broke loose during a walk and attacked residents, injuring a woman and two children.

According to 24NewsHD TV, the lion was being walked by its owners, Malik Azam alias Malik Shani and Malik Behran, when it suddenly went on a rampage, attacking people in the locality and causing chaos.

The three injured victims were rushed to Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran took immediate notice of the incident and summoned a team from the wildlife department. The department’s officials later arrived at the scene and successfully captured the lion.

The incident has raised serious concerns over the keeping of wild animals as pets in residential areas and prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife regulations.

Meanwhile, as veterinary costs continue to rise, health insurance for pets is gaining traction in Pakistan.

According to Dr Rafe Hussain, a prominent veterinarian at a leading animal hospital in Karachi, the growing number of pet owners in the country has led to increased concern over the expenses associated with their pets’ daily health issues.

“While the trend of keeping pets is on the rise, so are the concerns about their health and related costs,” says Dr Hussain. He notes that animal lovers in Pakistan are now exploring various insurance options for their pets. However, unlike countries abroad, comprehensive animal insurance policies remain limited in Pakistan.

A breakthrough in this sector is the introduction of an animal health policy, which allows pet owners to access regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for accidents or illnesses. Under this policy, insurance coverage ranging from PKR 10,000 to PKR 100,000 is now being offered by various companies.

New Culture in Insurance Industry

Regular hospital panels have been established under the animal insurance policy, enabling pet owners to seek treatment for their animals in case of illness or injury. Additionally, insured pet owners can seek treatment from any facility and later claim reimbursement from their insurance provider.

Hamza Awan, a representative of an animal insurance company, explains that animal insurance is introducing a new culture within Pakistan’s insurance industry. “We now offer insured emergency treatments, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, and routine check-ups for pets,” says Awan. “The number of people benefiting from these services is steadily increasing.”