- The boy was seriously injured in the animal attack.
- It required several stitches throughout the body.
- Panther’s owner now faces possible criminal liability
A three-year-old boy was savagely attacked by a panther at a traveling circus in Russia, after his father convinced his friends to let the predator out of its cage.
The terrified boy suffered lacerations to his face, head, back and legs, with blood gushing from his wounds.
The boy, named Vova, had been taken by his father to see the circus animals on a day when there was no show in Angarsk, in south-central Russia.
He was posing with a panther at the Wild Drive circus when the beast suddenly attacked him.
The young victim was rushed to hospital, where she needed stitches for multiple wounds and was kept under observation for fear of a risk of rabies.
Footage revealed he suffered horrific injuries to his head and face, and required several stitches.
The boy’s mother, Svetlana, said her ex-husband picked up the boy from daycare and took him to the circus.
The terrified boy suffered lacerations to his face, head, back and legs, with blood oozing from his wounds.
A three-year-old boy was savagely attacked by a panther at a traveling circus in Russia
The boy, named Vova, had been taken by his father to see the circus animals on a day when there was no show in Angarsk.
The panther was freed from its cage by the friends of the boy’s father (File image)
‘I was not aware of this. “Naturally, I wouldn’t have let the child go,” he said.
‘From what I understand, he has friends there in the circus.
‘They released the panther from the cage and it attacked my son.
“He was crying, his head was covered in blood and there was blood everywhere.”
News outlet Readovka said: ‘When the mother picked up (Vova), he was covered in blood.
“It was difficult for her to watch, but you had to hold the child in your arms.”
The boy with his head bandaged was later seen playing next to his bed at the hospital.
Circus acts include aerial gymnasts, exotic animals, illusionists, motorcycle stuntmen and clowns, as well as animals such as crocodiles.
The boy needed several stitches, but fortunately recovered after the attack.
The mother has reported the circus to state prosecutors.
Circus acts include aerial gymnasts, exotic animals, illusionists, motorcycle stuntmen and clowns, as well as animals such as crocodiles.
But a representative said they didn’t have a panther at their performance.
However, media reports said that the panther belonged to one of the circus performers and was shown to the boy when his father took him to see the animals.
The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against the circus.
If convicted, the panther’s owner could face up to six years in prison for neglect involving a child.
