Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Fear has gripped Bhainsadadar village in Odisha’s Nuapada district after a leopard strayed into the human settlement late Tuesday night and killed a pet dog in a residential courtyard.

The incident took place under Kendubahara panchayat, where the big cat reportedly entered the house premises of Chamanlal Middha around midnight.

According to reports, Chamanlal and his family members had gone to sleep after dinner, while their two pet dogs were resting in the courtyard. Around midnight, a leopard allegedly sneaked into the premises, attacked one of the dogs and dragged it towards the nearby farmland.

Hearing the animal's cries, the family members rushed out of the house and tried to drive the leopard away. However, before they could intervene, the big cat had killed the dog and dragged its carcass towards the adjoining forest.

Following information about the incident, Forest Department personnel reached the spot and inspected the area. They recovered the dog’s carcass and identified pugmarks believed to be those of the leopard. The carcass was subsequently buried in the afternoon.

The incident has sparked panic among villagers, who fear further encounters with the wild animal. Forest officials have alerted residents and advised them to remain vigilant, avoid moving alone after dark and take necessary precautions to prevent further human-wildlife encounters.

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