Beed (Maharashtra), Nov 12 (PTI) A leopard has killed a seven-year-old horse of a disabled farmer in the district, triggering panic in the area.
Ramkishan Dagdu Garje, a resident of Patil Vasti near Patsara village in Ashti tehsil, said he was completely dependent on his horse 'Badal' for daily chores as he can not ride a two-wheeler.
"I am already disabled in one leg. Now I feel like my other leg has been broken too," he said.
The horse had been taken for grazing on the family farm along with the cattle on Monday. It did not return by nightfall, and its carcass was found next day.
After confirming a leopard attack, a forest department team installed trap cameras in the vicinity to monitor the big cat's movements.
Patsara sarpanch Abhay Garje demanded that the forest department immediately set a cage trap for the leopard.
Ashti Range Forest Officer Amol Mundhe said the farmer will receive 75 per cent of the horse's market value as compensation within a month.
The forest department has appealed to villagers to remain vigilant and not venture alone into isolated areas after dark.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)