A leopard entered a guest house at Varchawada-Nanoskarwada at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday and attacked a dog before escaping into the nearby forest, triggering fear among residents.

According to house owner Ulhas Naik, he heard a dog barking in the courtyard and soon noticed the animal running towards the first floor, followed by the leopard.

The dog reportedly attempted to return downstairs, but the leopard pounced on it from behind, grabbed it by the neck and then jumped around eight feet from the first floor along with the dog before fleeing into the nearby forest.

Residents claim the leopard has killed four dogs in the area over the past six months. They also said that two dogs were targeted by the leopard last month.

Naik and other villagers alleged that they had repeatedly approached the Forest Department and complained about the leopard, but claimed that no effective action was taken.

Residents have expressed concern over their safety and demanded immediate intervention to prevent further incidents. They have also urged MLA Jit Arolkar to meet Forest Department officials and seek urgent measures to address the leopard menace.