Lion Cub Kept Illegally as Pet Escapes from Man's Home and Attacks 11-Year-Old Boy By Escher Walcott

An 11-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by an lion cub kept illegally as a pet in Thailand.

At around 9:15 p.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 4, 11-year-old Arthit Nueangnui was attacked by a 1-year-old lioness after the cub managed to break free from being chained up at a residence in Kanchanaburi province, according to ViralPress, per the Associated Press.

The lion cub, named Mahaesee, escaped the residence and sprinted down the road towards a group of boys. It then pounced on Arthit, pinning him down and biting into his side, per ViralPress.

The boy escaped with the help of his neighbor, Sarawut Tokaeo, 43, who “bashed the lioness’s head to free the boy.” Tokaeo was also bitten in the incident, and the pair were sent to the hospital for their injuries, ViralPress reported.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the lion cub charging down the street before being collected by its owner, identified as Parinya Parkpoom, 32, who then brought the animal back to his residence and locked it behind some metal gates.

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“He told me, ‘It pushed me backwards and knocked me to the ground … I pretended to be dead, because I knew if I struggled, I wouldn’t survive,’ ” Nueangnui’s mother told ViralPress. “… Recently, the doctors had to reopen the wound because it was bleeding again. Right now, all I want is for him to recover fully, without infection.”

The lion cub was sedated and detained on Sunday, Oct. 5, per ViralPress.

Parkpoom was charged with violating Article 15 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, banning permit holders from releasing wild animals. The offense carries a penalty of up to 50,000 baht ($1,540) and up to six months in prison, ViralPress reported, citing the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

Parkpoom apologized for the incident, saying that he left the lion cub “tethered to a post as her old cage was being renovated” and said he’ll cover all medical expenses for the boy, per ViralPress. 

‘I didn’t realize the chain had broken until a villager called to tell me the lion had escaped and attacked a child. I rushed out right away, secured the lion, and brought her back inside,” Parkpoom said, per ViralPress. “I’ll take full responsibility for all medical expenses and sincerely apologize to both families. This accident was entirely my fault.’

Mahaesee was sent to the Bungchawak Wildlife Management Development Centre in Suphan Buri province, according to the outlet.

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Owning a lion is legal in Thailand. However, owners have been required to register and microchip them, as well inform authorities before moving lions, since 2022, per France 24.

PEOPLE reached out to the DNP for comment.