Leopard kills pet dog in Thalavadi Hills

A leopard entered a residential area in Thalavadi and killed a pet dog on Monday (July 27, 2026) night, triggering panic among residents, who urged the Forest Department to capture the animal.The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, under which the Thalavadi Forest Range falls, is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bears, and other wildlife. Residents said leopards have been frequently sighted in abandoned stone quarries near Soosaipuram, Hosur, and Doddagajanur villages. They alleged that the animals often stray into agricultural fields and nearby habitations in search of prey and attack livestock.According to residents, the leopard entered Hosur Road in Thalavadi late on Monday and attacked a pet dog tied in front of the house of Srinivasan. Family members rushed out after hearing the dog’s cries, following which the animal fled into the nearby forest. The incident has heightened fear among residents. They urged the Forest Department to place a cage trap and capture the leopard to prevent further incursions into residential areas.Residents said leopards sheltering in the abandoned quarries had so far preyed only on livestock in villages and that this was the first time in recent years that one had entered the town and killed a pet dog. Published - July 28, 2026 04:40 pm IST