A circus lioness savaged a four-year-old girl after breaking through a safety net during a show in
Russia.
The big cat pulled the girl into the ring and mauled her during a performance in Uspenskoye village in the Krasnodar region of Russia.
The girl, named as Ksenia, survived the attack but doctors say she will be 'scarred for life' after suffering serious face and chest injuries.
According to local reports, the child had been waving a small flag during the circus act.
The lioness can be seen rushing from its trainer - despite being on a leash - and springing on the child.
One account said the animal broke a flimsy safety netting around the circus ring.