''I thought it was a toy'': Dad's horror as he finds escaped LION trying to get into his house

The seven-month-old cub had been given to a neighbour as a gift for 'getting pregnant', but had escaped from its cage

 

Safe: The lion cub was caught by police and taken to a nearby zoo

A dad has told of his shock after a lion given to a teenager as a present for 'getting pregnant' escaped from its cage and tried to get into his house.

Stunned Miguel Martinez, 32, got home from work and discovered the cub in his front yard, trying to get into his house inside which was his young daughter.

He saw the big cat lying under a bush outside his front door as he pulled into his driveway, assuming it was a toy - until it started growling.

Fearing his children would be attacked, Mr Martinez sat in his Audi and called police, who arrived and humanely trapped the seven-month old beast.

It soon emerged that the cub had an owner - 19-year-old pregnant neighbour Maria Fernanda Martinez, who had named him Simba after the Lion King character.

Mr Martinez, who lives in Guadalupe, Mexico, said: "At first I thought it was a toy. It was lying perfectly still and looking at me.

"But when I opened the car door it growled and moved a bit and I realised to my horror that it was real."

Horror: Mr Martinez had the shock of his life to see the lion at his door

He continued: "It then went to the front door and began whacking it, and I was worried sick that my wife or children would come out and be attacked.

"I called them on the phone and told them to stay put and then called the cops before slamming my door shut in case it came for me."

A police spokesman said that because the lion was so young he wasn't yet aggressive, but it was lucky he didn't come into contact with any children.

Miss Martinez said: "I don’t know how on earth he got out of his cage.

"He was given to me as a present to celebrate my getting pregnant, but we had planned to give it to a zoo because it really isn't a suitable pet to have."

Simba was taken to nearby La Pastora Zoo where he was treated for an injured paw.
A zoo spokesman said: "I think this adventurous little guy will be staying with us from now on."

Source: Mirror.co.uk