Footballer Karim Benzema slammed for letting daughter play with baby tiger

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema was slammed on social media yesterday for allowing his children to play with a tiger. The French striker posted a pic (above) on Instagram of his daughter Melia, three, play with a cub in their family home. The post, however, didn't go down well with animal lovers, who accused Benzema of cruelty.

Leading French animal rights champion Laurence Parisot wrote on the picture sharing site: "Dear Benzema, can you explain where this baby tiger has come from? Where is its mother? What do you plan to do with it, and don't you think it would be happier in its natural habitat?"

Another user wrote: "If Benzema had any sense he wouldn't pose for pictures with a tiger cub but would instead donate to animal charities."

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