The injured were identified as Arthit Nueangnui, 11, who was bitten and clawed in his hip, and Sarawut Tokaeo, 43, who was clawed in his leg. They were treated at local hospitals and discharged on Saturday night, reports the Bangkok Post.
The lion owner was identified as Parinya Parkpoom, 32, a social media influencer who frequently shared posts about exotic pets, including the lion. Officials were checking the ownership of the lion.
According to Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, officials ordered the owner on Oct 3 to improve the security of the lion’s cage but the incident occurred before the improvement was completed.
Letting a wild animal out of its cage without a proper reason is liable to a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to B50,000.
Parinya, the lion owner, said that pending the improvement of the cage, he chained his female lion aged one year to a steel pole in his house but it got loose.
At about 8pm Saturday he heard people shouting that his lion was mauling people. He found it walking on a road in front of his house, so he chained it again.
The man bought the lion from its previous owner in Chachoengsao, and the animal was registered and had a microchip. The attack happened on a public road.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered the seizure of the lion from its owner and said it would be kept at the Bungchawak Wildlife Extension Centre in Suphan Buri province.