Panic gripped the tea estate town of Valparai in the district today, when a leopard entered a house and whisked
away a dog in the broad day light and in full public view.

The leopard, which was hiding in a bush, suddenly pounced on a pet dog, which was basking in the sun in the verandah of the house, after having been given a bath by its owner and estate worker, Azhagar around 10.30 AM, police said.
As the carnivore started running with the dog, the neighbours and other workers raised alarm in high pitch.

The leopard left the prey there itself and ran towards the bush, they said. The entry of a leopard into such a densly inhabited area has created panic. Forest Department officials were informed about the incident.