During the 18th century, you could pay your admission ticket to the zoo in London by bringing a cat or a dog to feed the lions.
In 2005, an Ethiopian girl was being brutally beaten by 7 men when a pride of lions chased them away. They even stayed with her until help arrived.
In 221 AD, Roman Emperor Elagabalus had a dinner party. When the meal was over, he gave the signal for dozens of leopards and lions to be released among his guests.