Boy, three, is savaged by panther after his father convinces his friends at local circus to let it out of its cage to take a photo

A three year old boy has been savaged by a panther at a travelling circus in Russia, after his father convinced his pals to let the apex predator out of its cage. 

The terrified child suffered lacerations to his face, head, back and legs, with blood pouring from his wounds.

The boy, named Vova, had been taken by his father to look at the circus animals on a day when there was no performance in Angarsk, southern-central Russia. 

He was posing with a panther at the Wild Drive circus when the beast suddenly attacked him.

The young victim was rushed to hospital where he needed stitches for multiple wounds, and was kept in for observation amid fears of a rabies risk.

Pictures revealed he suffered appalling wounds across his head and face, and needed several stitches. 

The boy’s mother Svetlana said her ex-husband had picked up the child from nursery school and taken him to the circus.

A three year old boy has been savaged by a panther at a travelling circus in Russia

The boy, named Vova, had been taken by his father to look at the circus animals on a day when there was no performance in Angarsk

The panther was let out of its cage by the boy’s father’s friends (File image) 

‘I was not aware of this. Naturally, I would not have let the child go,’ she said.

‘As far as I understand, he has friends there at the circus.

‘They released the panther from the cage, and it attacked my son.

‘He was crying, his head was covered in blood, there was blood all around.’

News outlet Readovka said: ‘When the mother picked up [Vova], he was covered in blood.

‘It was hard for her to watch, but the child had to be held in her arms.’

The child with his head bandaged was seen later playing by his bed in hospital.

The circus’ acts include aerial gymnasts, exotic animals, illusionists, motorcycle stuntmen, and clowns along with animals including crocodiles

The boy required several stitches, but was thankfully okay following the attack 

The mother has reported the circus to state prosecutors.

The circus acts include aerial gymnasts, exotic animals, illusionists, motorcycle stuntmen, and clowns along with animals including crocodiles.

But a representative said they did not have a panther in their performance.

However, media reports said the panther belonged to one of the circus performers and was shown to the boy when his father took him to see the animals.

A criminal case has been opened against the circus by the Russian Investigative Committee.

If convicted, the panther owner could face up to six years in jail for negligence involving a child.