A two-year old girl was saved from the jaws of a lion cub being bred in a private home in Ajman.
According to a report in Sharjah-based Arabic newspaper Al Khaleej, the girl, identified as Sarah Salem Al Sayed was about to be bitten by the animal when a maid intervened and saved her.
Salem Al Sayed, the girl's father, said the incident happened when he visited his brother's house in Ajman last week.
“Sarah accompanied my brother’s children and the maid to a neighbor's house to play with the children there. Sarah went innocently towards the lion, which was in a cage which was not properly closed,” Sayed is quoted to have said.
He added: “The lion pounced on the girl and was about to bite her when the maid intervened and saved baby.”
He said the child was then taken to hospital where she received medical treatment for bruising.
“Effects of the lion’s canines can be cured with time, but the psychological effects of the attack is difficult to heal, as my daughter still suffers from intense fear and starts screaming and crying at any loud sound,” said the father.
He did not seek any compensation and didn’t sue the family with the pet lion.
He added, however, “I call upon the concerned authorities to impose controls on breeding wild animals in the homes, this time delivered my baby narrowly escaped death, but what will be the fate of others who may be exposed to similar incidents.”