On Sunday, July 6, 2025, a chilling incident in the quiet locality of Molcornem, Sanguem, has left residents alarmed and raised pressing concerns about increasing wildlife encounters in residential areas.
CCTV footage captured a dramatic moment when a wild leopard crept out of a garden and launched a sudden, brutal attack on a pet dog. The dog fought back desperately, but the leopard’s strength quickly overpowered it. The big cat was then seen dragging the dog into the nearby forest, leaving the community in shock and sorrow.
The attack has sparked widespread fear among locals, especially pet owners and parents worried about children playing outdoors. The event is the latest in a growing number of human-wildlife conflicts as human settlements continue to expand into forested regions.
In response, local authorities and wildlife experts have urged residents to stay alert and take precautions—such as keeping pets indoors or within secure enclosures, particularly during early morning and evening hours when leopards are most active. The forest department has been asked to intensify patrolling and explore preventive measures to avoid similar incidents.
Wildlife experts stress that such encounters are becoming increasingly common due to shrinking natural habitats. They call for urgent action to establish sustainable coexistence strategies that prioritize both conservation and community safety.