Leopard on the prowl in Valparai

A leopard is on the prowl in the plantation town of Valparai in the district with reports of a dog and goat found mauled to death over the past four days.
According to police, people feared to venture out, based on reports of movement of leopard in the early hours in search of prey.
A dog was found killed by the leopard four days ago at Dhobi Colony and a calf was seriously injured the next day in the same area, police said.
The villagers noticed a goat's carcass, with bite marks of a leopard, lying in front of one of the houses early today, they said.

Steps are being taken to prevent the entry of the carnivore into the human habitat and to keep cages to trap it, they said.