Russian police said on Thursday they would not be charging the owners of a circus where a leopard mauled a small girl, as the law failed to provide adequately for such an event.

The incident took place in Smolensk, a city some 400 km to the southwest of Moscow on July 8. The leopard bit the girl`s thigh and scratched her shin before being restrained by circus staff.

"Russian law does not provide any clear description of how to act with regard to wild animals, including in a circus, and does not state any punishment for the owner of an animal that attacks a person," said Alexander Borovikov, a senior aide to the prosecutor for the Smolensk Region.

The circus accused the girl`s parents of extortion after they attempted to gain compensation for the incident. Police have refused to open an investigation.
sections: Society