A tiger attacked a 12-year-old boy during a circus performance in Putian city, Fujian province on Jan 20, local media reported.

A circus has been closed down after a tiger broke out of a cage and injured a boy during a Jan 20 performance at the Zhonghui Plaza in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo/Nhaidu.com]

The dramatic moment happened at around 8 pm, when the tiger broke out of an unlocked cage due to the trainer’s negligence and scared the audience away, according to witnesses.

The boy suffered five skin scratches on his right leg by the tiger and hit his head on a rail during the chaos. He is now in stable condition in the hospital.

Fortunately, the big cat didn’t get out of control and was soon driven back to the cage.

A preliminary investigation found the circus, which has now been shut down, had staged the performance for five days in a row without obtaining a permit from the local authority.