In an incident that has instilled fear amongst locals, a leopard had killed a goat near Vattappallam at Theethipalayam on the outskirts of Coimbatore City on Wednesday.
The leopard that came out of the Reserve Forest, which is almost two km away from Theethiplayam, Street, had also hurt another goat in the same yard.
The incident came to light around 2.00 am on Wednesday when the owner of the goats, V. Aruchamy (52) heard the bleats of his goats. When he had come out to check, a leopard was lying near one of his goats.
It had killed the female goat aged around 4 years and was trying to eat it when another goat had made noise alerting the locals.
In an attempt to silent the other goat, the leopard had also tried to attack it leaving hurting it on its neck and abdomen.
Aruchamy had immediately alerted field staff of Forest Department who were on duty and they, along with other locals, had chased the leopard away.
"I have been living here for the past 13 years and this is the first time such an incident had happened. I am apprehensive of the leopard returning again," Aruchamy told the Simplicity.
Since his life depends on his goats , he should be compensated for his loss immediately, he pleaded.