Severe Lion Attack in Umm Salal Leaves 17-Year-Old Qatari Youth Injured

In a shocking incident, a 17-year-old Qatari youth sustained severe injuries after being attacked by a lion kept as a pet in a private residence. The incident occurred two weeks ago in the Umm Salal area, where the young man was visiting the property.

Details of the Attack
According to the victim's family, the teenager had previously owned a young lioness in 2022 but had to give it away due to an allergic reaction. The animal was entrusted to an individual experienced in raising wild animals. Since then, the youth had visited the lioness only three times—first in September 2024, then in November 2024, and finally on January 12, 2025, when the attack took place.
During the fatal visit, the lioness and another adult lion, aged seven years, were let out of their enclosure. The latter suddenly attacked the young man, inflicting deep wounds and severe head injuries, including claw and bite marks. The family has clarified that the lion responsible for the attack did not belong to their son but was owned by the caretaker.
Medical Condition and Treatment
Following the attack, the injured youth was rushed to Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital for emergency care before being transferred to Hamad Hospital’s Emergency Department. Medical examinations revealed a partial skull fracture, fractures around the eye, and multiple deep wounds across his body. He underwent immediate surgery and was placed in intensive care for four days before being moved to a specialized surgery unit, where he remained for 12 days.
His mother has confirmed that while his condition is now stable, he continues to receive treatment, including for post-traumatic seizures. His left eye must remain closed for six months as part of the recovery process.

Legal Action and Safety Concerns
The victim’s mother has firmly denied rumors that her son was attacked by his former pet lioness, reiterating that the attack was caused by the adult lion owned by the caretaker. She has also raised concerns over the practice of keeping dangerous animals in residential areas without proper safety precautions, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with such practices.
The family has vowed to pursue legal action to hold the responsible party accountable, citing the necessity of enforcing regulations to prevent similar incidents. The mother expressed confidence in the authorities' ability to ensure justice and thanked Hamad Medical Corporation for their efforts in saving her son’s life.

Qatar’s Laws on Dangerous Animals
Qatar’s legal framework strictly regulates the ownership and handling of dangerous animals. Under Law No. (10) of 2019:

• Article (2) prohibits acquiring, importing, exporting, or trading in dangerous animals without a valid license, with exemptions granted only to public zoos.
• Article (5) mandates that owners must implement safety measures to prevent animals from escaping or posing risks to humans.
• Article (8) stipulates penalties of up to three years in prison and fines up to QAR 100,000 for unauthorized ownership or failure to control a dangerous animal. If an attack results in death or permanent disability, the penalty may extend to 25 years in prison.
   

Government’s Response
On January 23, 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) announced the initiation of a nationwide survey to register dangerous animals in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. Owners are required to submit their registrations within a three-month deadline, ending on April 22, 2025.
The government’s move underscores the importance of regulating exotic pet ownership to ensure public safety and prevent future tragedies. Authorities are expected to take further measures to reinforce compliance with existing laws and address any violations.
This incident has sparked widespread debate over the risks of keeping wild animals as pets and the need for stricter enforcement of laws governing their ownership in Qatar.