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'What has enabled Russia to rise among the great powers of the world…has been the conquest of Siberia'

W.Bruce Lincoln

Lion attacks nine year old girl in coldest region in Russia

By Olga Gertcyk

22 April 2015

Child needs hospital treatment after circus worker walked the lion 'like a dog' with no muzzle.

The incident was reported by Ysia.ru news agency, which also said the circus abruptly left the village after the attack. Pictures: Ysia.ru

Pictures went round the world yesterday - including from The Siberian Times on Facebook and Twitter - of a lion being taken for a walk in a village on the Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia. The episode seemed incongruous but it also had an alarming outcome.

The lion attacked the girl on her way home from music school in the village of Namtsy.

Gavril Kolpashnikov, the girl's father, said: 'I was fishing, and got back at night. I saw my child in a horrible condition. To put it mildly, stressed. She's shocked, she's still shaking, she's not of those brave kids'.

He said: 'They were walking their animal as if it was a dog. We're on the way to hospital now, I don't know what they will say there'.

The shocking incident was reported by Ysia.ru news agency, which also said the circus abruptly left the village after the attack.

Lion attacks nine year old girl in coldest region in Russia

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I have something to say to the father of the poor little girl who was supposedly injured by the lion. You say that your daughter is "not one of those brave kids". I wonder how "brave" you would be if you were attacked by a lion. I would hope that he would be more understanding the next time his daughter shows appropriate emotions to something. Although, I will say that judging from the pictures, the young lion looks scared himself and not very brave in the wet snow. I hope that the little girl was not really hurt, but if so, that she heals quickly.

Cheryl Dee, Atlanta/USA

06/05/2015 04:53

What is the name of the so called victim, where are the pictures? This is the worst half ass put together load of crap of a story! Just goes to show how stupid people are to have taken this fake story for legitimate news! I mean they didn't even post the name of the so called circus, oh and there is a pic of a girl that looks to be nine with what appears to be a mother did someone dream up a fake story based on that pic? I see nothing that indicates a mauling. Serious load of crap!

marci smithler, Auburn

26/04/2015 00:29

Stop judging before you know anything for sure, please! There had never been any trouble in the past with this circus and walking the lion in the streets had been the only efficient way to promote the show in small towns and cities. Justice will establish whose fault it was but so far it looks like the lion had never been more of a danger than most dogs in the area or elsewhere. Now I hope the little girl will fully recover soon.

Greg, Lausanne, Switzerland

23/04/2015 16:34

Oh & I wish the little girl a very speedy recovery...this experience must have been absolutely terrible for her.

Jaker, Dundalk

23/04/2015 09:35

A circus who acted like clowns; go after them & bring them back to face justice & maybe time in their own lions "Den"!

Jaker, Dundalk

23/04/2015 09:32