Wild animals, although trained, can still be harmful. There must be utmost care and caution taking when visiting them. Negligence of propriety may lead to this.
A Saudi father whose daughter was reportedly attacked by a tiger at a private farm near Jeddah last week has filed claims against a businessman and his son, an animal trainer, for negligence that resulted in physical and psychological harm.
The father claimed that his 12-year-old daughter Maya Baksh, known in Saudi Arabia as a social media and children’s programs star, suffered bruises and was traumatized by the terrible experience.
She has not been able to attend her seventh-grade classes and that her artistic commitments have been suspended, he added.
The father criticized the lack of safety measures in dealing with predators and wondered how breeding wild animals without control was allowed and called for holding accountable those who inflicted physical and psychological damage on his daughter.
He said that Maya received an invitation to visit the farm in Dhahban, east of Jeddah, and to see wild animals and have her picture taken with them.
“We received full assurances that the animals were tamed and well-trained and that there were no concerns at all,” the father said. “My family accepted and we went to the farm where they brought out four animals – two tigers and two hyenas. They were fine and there were no problems. Maya had her picture taken with them for about five minutes before they were put back in their cage.”
However, the trainer headed to another cage following pleas by his father where a 280-kilo tiger was kept.
“The trainer invited Maya to get closer to a picture with the tiger. She was initially afraid because of the animal’s wild looks and size. However, the trainer persuaded her that she was safe and that the tiger would not hurt her. However, following the photo-shoot, the tiger attacked her and Maya lost consciousness. Those around moved promptly to free her from the tiger, beating the animal until it let go of her. We took her quickly to a hospital where she treated,” the father said.
Keeping wild animals and exotic pets at home in some Gulf countries, although strictly prohibited, have turned into a fashion statement among the young and rich who see rearing them as a status symbol.
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