Shopian: Over the past few weeks dozens of dogs in Shopian villages have mysteriously been showing grievous injury marks on their bodies which, wildlife officials say could be due to leopard attacks.
Many dogs according to locals of many villages in Shopian have got injuries on their necks areas necks.
Muzaffar Ahmed a local from Nadigund village told Kashmir Reader that he saw few dogs in his village with major injuries on their necks since past few days.
Similar experiences have been shared by the people living in neighbouring villages like Aglar, Pahnoo, Pargochi, Voterpora and other villages in a radius of five kilometers .
Intisar Suhail, a senior wildlife expert, told Kashmir Reader that the injuries indicate that it might have been caused by leopards in the area.
He said that the only optimistic thing so far is that leopard are targeting stray dogs and not livestock or humans, cautioning people in the area to adopt precautions and should not throw food near homes.
Suhail added that he is in no doubt that attacks are carried by a cub leopard, who seems unable to kill the dogs , only resulting in injuring them,” he said.

Raashid Hassan