Hunsur: The residents of Kanagalu village and surrounding places at Hanagod hobli in Hunsur taluk, who were living in a state of fear following killing of their livestock by leopard, now have another animal to be feared as a pack of stray dogs killed 10 sheep at Kanagalu village yesterday afternoon.

One Nagegowda had left his sheep to graze near the sheep pen yesterday afternoon, when a pack of stray dogs attacked and killed all the 10 sheep. Though the villagers pelted stones on the dogs, they continued their killing spree and left the spot later. The cost of the sheep is estimated to be more than Rs. 1 lakh.

Meanwhile, villagers said that there were leopards on the prowl in the region, which had killed more than 10 sheep and cows in the past and added that yesterday afternoon too, a sheep belonging to one Madegowda of B.R. Kawal was killed by a leopard. 

They further said that though they tried to scare the leopard by making sound and trying to divert its attention, the leopard did not leave the sheep and left only after killing it. Pointing out that one or two domestic animals are killed daily, the villagers accused the Forest officials of turning deaf ears to their pleas to capture the leopard and save their livestock.

The villagers said that the leopard was frequently being spotted during daytime and again urged the Forest Department officials to capture the leopard at the earliest.