A woman has been hospitalized after being hit in the face by a camel kick during a Christmas celebration at a megachurch in Texas, US. The episode took place during the annual Christmas pageant at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston.
- With tickets up to R$386, in the United States, a church presents a million-dollar Christmas spectacle and is criticized on the networks: “Jesus was going to turn the situation around”
The footage, recorded by Grizzy’s Hood News profile, shows the moment a camel, led down the hallway by a man dressed as the character, kicks the woman’s head with its left hind leg. The victim’s name has not been released. Even after the impact, the procession continued for a few moments, as onlookers stood up to help.
The show, lasting approximately 90 minutes, was presented from December 9 to 14. On the official website, the church describes the production as an “event for the whole family,” with Broadway-inspired songs, dance performances, lights and special effects to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the spirit of Christmas.
Church says it has suspended the use of animals in public
In a statement sent to the Daily Mail, a Champion Forest spokesperson regretted what happened and said it was an “unexpected incident” involving an animal used in production. According to the note, the church team immediately called emergency services and decided to suspend, from that moment, the movement of animals in areas reserved for the public.
According to the spokesperson, the Church remained in contact with the victim’s family after the episode. Local television station KPRC reported that the woman received medical attention, was treated for her injuries and was later released from the hospital.
The case sparked repercussions on social networks, dividing opinions. Some users have criticized the use of live animals in closed environments with high concentrations of people. “Bringing huge animals into a crowded auditorium can be part of the problem. Most live nativity scenes take place outside,” one user wrote on Facebook.
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2025/A/B/KJE6mJSVS5Offj4HP5Wg/camelo.jpg)
Other comments expressed concerns for the animal itself. “I don’t feel sorry for anyone but the camel. I hope he wasn’t punished for doing something natural,” another user said. There were also those who considered the animal’s presence unnecessary for the spectacle.
On the other hand, Church defenders pointed to the production’s history and called the episode an isolated accident. “I saw their performances and they are amazing. It’s sad that someone got hurt,” one user wrote. Another said the show mixed the story of Jesus’ birth with a more playful approach to Christmas and lamented what happened.
According to the San Diego Zoo, dromedaries — camels with a single hump, like the one shown in the video — can exceed 10 feet in height and weigh up to 1,200 pounds, raising the potential risk of close contact with the public in closed environments.
About The Author
