Leopards are believed to have struck terror at Neturlim in Sanguem as three cows were killed and four other cows were injured on Monday. The cows were taken for grazing in the nearby pasture by the villagers who returned home for lunch. A couple of days back a leopard attacked a dog at Tuem and killed it. Recently with frequent sightings of leopards on interior roads of Loliem, Sheli and Polem in Canacona locals have expressed fear that the animals might also attack humans. Panic was rife at Kavlem in Ponda after a family claimed that their two pet dogs were killed by a leopard here. This incident took place in a residential area and spread fear not only among the family but also among the neighbours and villagers too. Obviously leopards venture into human habitat looking for prey because the hills have been cut and trees chopped to make way for real estate development. More forest guards need to be posted to carry out patrolling in areas where a leopard has been sighted. These leopards need to be trapped and left out in the forest.
