LION IN A ROAD SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 7

LION IN A ROAD SMASH

FIERCE FIGHT WITH COW. LYME REGIS, Dorset, June 24. . An exciting chase of a lion which worked itself into a frenzy of rage as it was peppered with bullets and ki led a cow before it was shot dead, took place here to-day. , The lion was in a menagerie which was travelling up Fern Hill, between Ijyme ltegis and Charmouth, when the connecting rod of the van containing its cage broke. The van ran down the hill and crashed into a tree. The cage was burst open and the . lion walked out. The animal, after a look round, lay down by the side of the road. All traffic was stopped by Mr Flexmore, the manager of the menagerie, and Mr Farber, the trainer, who had gone on ahead, were hurriedly summoned. As they approached the animal, it greeted them with growls. They got a rope over its neck, but the lion jumped up, leaped a hedge, and escaped into a held.

attacked a cow. A number of men .tried to corner the uiimal, but just as they thought they, vere succeeding the lion sprang over •mother hedge into a meadow full of attie. One of the cows immediatelyattacked it. A fierce battle ensued in which for •onie time the cow held its own and inlicted a severe gash with its horn. The ow was terribly injured by the lion’s claws and eventually died. The lion, now thoroughly roused, • nreered round the field, then dashed into the garden of Mr Good’and, of Lily Farm who was astonished to see it among his vegetables. He seized a gun and joined several other farmers, who were also armed, in the hunt. By this time a crowd of several hundred people were watching the operaiions from a distance. Some climbed ‘eletrraph poles or trees and other* got nn to roofs. A large number of liiotorars pulled up at a safe distance. For some time the farmers fired at J lie lion and their shots drove it into a frenzy of rage. At last Mr Percy Smith, a postman, arrived on the scene armed with a revolver. He crent near enough to fire ; everal shots. One of them entered t T, ° ' rain of the animal. whi f, h fell to fh« '•mind. gave a final twitch, and died. The lion was' ten years of age.