A day after a daily-wage worker was reportedly killed by a carnivore, suspected to be a leopard, two puppies went missing after residents heard them whimpering near Hasanur in the early hours of Monday(October 5, 2026). Forest officials suspect that a carnivore could be responsible for the incident.
Residents and resort owners near a hotel located along National Highway 948 (Dindigul–Mysuru) heard the whimpers of puppies between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Monday. The puppies were missing when residents checked the area in the morning, while bloodstains were noticed at the spot.
Residents claimed that the leopard suspected to have killed V. Periyasamy of Bungalow Thotti on the night of October 3 was responsible for the incident. The puppies had been roaming in the area and were being fed by local residents and resorts.
A team from the Hasanur Range of the Hasanur Forest Division, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, inspected the spot. However, pugmarks could not be found as the area was covered with bushes.
Forest officials said camera trapping had been strengthened and patrolling intensified in the area. The back-to-back incidents have caused panic among residents, who have urged the department to identify and capture the carnivore at the earliest.
Published – October 05, 2026 06:49 pm IST
