A TikToker has been arrested after a tiger mauled a 19-year-old man to death when a stunt for a video turned deadly.
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Kahna Police in Pakistan arrested two people in connection with the tiger attack, including the TikToker and the owner of the farm where the mauling took place. A statement released on Nov. 12 by Lahore Police claims the tiger was "out of control in the presence of the TikToker, who had come to the farmhouse to make a TikTok video."
The
19-year-old attacked by the tiger was reportedly an employee of the farm. Police allege he was "critically injured" and "later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment."
However, another wrinkle was added to the incident. Lahore Police allege that the injuries were initially attempted to be passed off as caused by a dog mauling. Meanwhile, the tiger at the center of the incident was transferred to wildlife authorities.
The Lahore Police added that they'd launched an investigation into the matter. They're searching for the tiger's official owner via paperwork and checking whether any safety protocols were followed leading up to the incident.
TikToker Arrested Following Fatal Tiger Mauling Identified
NDTV and The Nightly reported the TikToker's name as Nouman Hassan and identified the farm owner only as Fayyaz. Meanwhile, the tiger mauling victim was identified as Talha by NDTV. The Manchester Evening News added that the victim's body had been transported to a morgue, awaiting an autopsy.
The Lahore Police went on to urge the public to use better judgment when making content for social media.
"A passion for TikTok cannot be more important than a human life," a rep for the department told The Independent earlier today (Nov. 13). "No one can be allowed to put human life at risk in the name of a hobby or entertainment. The attempt to hide the facts and every aspect of negligence will be investigated."
Here's hoping the tiger is rehomed somewhere they can be safely looked after and cared for.
Of course, the incident follows another man getting mauled to death after entering Yorkshire Zoo in the United Kingdom last month. The tiger in that incident, Altai, was not euthanized and remains at the zoo.
