A farmer from Nashik’s Vihitgaon took on a leopard with his bare hands and saved his four-year-old son from the jaws of the animal Thursday night.
On spotting the leopard dragging his child away, the father plunged forward and grabbed the animal’s hind legs. Startled, the leopard dropped the boy and scampered away, vanishing into the darkness. The episode unfolded when the child was playing outside his house, forest officials said.
At least three people have lost their lives and 14 injured in leopard attacks in Nashik district this year so far.
“The boy received injuries on his neck. His father received minor injuries on his right hand. The child was rushed to Nashik district civil hospital and later admitted to a private hospital,” said an official.
Foresters said the boy’s condition was stable and he was expected to be discharged soon. Forest officials said they have installed a cage in the village to trap the animal.