Lahore Lioness Attack: Pet Lioness Kills Farmhouse Worker

The Lahore lioness attack at a private farmhouse in Kahna has left a 19-year-old worker dead and raised fresh questions about the keeping of big cats as pets in Punjab.

The Lahore lioness attack took place on Thursday at the farmhouse where Talha worked as an employee. He was critically injured when a pet lioness kept at the property went out of control, according to police.

Talha was shifted to a private hospital after the mauling. He died during treatment, a police spokesperson said.

Police have arrested the farmhouse owner, Fayyaz, and a TikToker named Nauman in connection with the death. A case has been registered, and the Lahore lioness attack is under investigation.

Lahore lioness attack: what police say happened

According to the police spokesperson, Nauman had visited the farmhouse to make a TikTok video. During that visit, the lioness allegedly went out of control and attacked Talha.

The young worker was not taking part in any filming.

The wildlife department has since confiscated the lioness from the farmhouse. Talha's body was shifted to a morgue for a postmortem examination.

Investigators are now examining the case from several directions, including the permit for the animal and the safety arrangements in place.

The dog attack claim that hid the truth

The case grew more serious when officers examined the first reports of the death. Police investigations revealed that an attempt had allegedly been made to conceal the circumstances of the Lahore lioness attack.

The death was initially described as a dog attack. A police inquiry later established that the victim had in fact been attacked by the lioness, and not by any dog.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the attempt to conceal the facts would be investigated. He said every aspect of possible negligence behind the Lahore lioness attack would also be examined.

The DIG said human life could not be put at risk in the name of entertainment or personal interests. He added that making TikTok videos could not take precedence over human life.

The Express Tribune reported that the case was registered under Sections 289 and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code. It also includes Sections 10-A and 12 of the Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974.

Lahore lioness attack revives debate on big cat ownership

Keeping lions and other big cats at farmhouses and private properties has become increasingly visible in Punjab, and the animals are often displayed on social media.

The provincial government moved to tighten the rules after earlier escapes caused public alarm. In January 2025, the provincial cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974.

The amendments brought lions, tigers, cheetahs, pumas and jaguars under Schedule II. They introduced licensing, minimum enclosure standards and restrictions on keeping big cats in residential areas.

The government also announced a ban on displaying big cats on social media. The wildlife department announced a phased plan to end private ownership of big cats altogether.

Under the guidelines, existing owners had to declare their animals and obtain possession licences. Animals were to be relocated to approved facilities outside residential areas.

Big cats must also be microchipped and registered through a mobile application. Breeding is restricted, and animals cannot be taken outside registered premises for public display.

The Lahore lioness attack has raised the question of whether these rules are being enforced on the ground. Investigators will now establish whether the Kahna farmhouse held a licence and whether the lioness was registered and microchipped.

Earlier big cat escapes in Lahore

Thursday's death was not the first incident of its kind in the city. In December 2024, a lion escaped from a house in Shalimar Housing Society in Harbanspura.

The animal chased people on a street, including children playing nearby. A security guard shot the lion dead as panic spread among residents.

In July 2025, another privately kept lion escaped from a farmhouse in the Shah Di Khoi area of Johar Town. It attacked a woman and her two children, aged five and seven.

The victims suffered injuries to their faces and arms and were shifted to hospital. Police arrested the suspects, and wildlife officials seized the animal.

Following that attack, wildlife authorities launched a province-wide crackdown in July 2025. According to official figures reported at the time, teams inspected 22 locations and recovered 13 lions.

Five people were arrested and five cases were registered during the crackdown. In Lahore, four lions were seized, four people were arrested and three cases were registered.

Yet the Lahore lioness attack in Kahna shows that privately kept big cats continue to pose a risk to workers and visitors. Police say the probe will cover the permit, the safety arrangements and the alleged cover up.

Lahore lioness attack: common questions

What happened in the Lahore lioness attack?

A pet lioness at a farmhouse in Kahna went out of control on Thursday and attacked 19-year-old farm worker Talha. He was shifted to a private hospital, where he died during treatment. The Lahore lioness attack is now being investigated by Kahna police.

Who has been arrested over the Lahore lioness attack?

Kahna police have arrested the farmhouse owner, Fayyaz, and a TikToker named Nauman. Nauman had visited the farmhouse to make a TikTok video when the lioness attacked the worker.

Why was the death first described as a dog attack?

Police say the incident was allegedly described as a dog attack to conceal the real circumstances. A police inquiry later established that a lioness had attacked the victim.

What has happened to the lioness after the attack?

The wildlife department has confiscated the animal. Police are checking whether the farmhouse had a valid permit to keep her and whether safety rules were followed.

What has the DIG Operations said about the case?

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the concealment attempt and all aspects of negligence would be investigated. He said entertainment and TikTok videos could not take precedence over human life.

Is it legal to keep a lioness at a private farmhouse in Punjab?

Big cats may only be kept under a possession licence, with registration, microchipping and approved enclosures outside residential areas. Police are examining whether the farmhouse in the Lahore lioness attack case met those requirements.