A 7-year-old child who was attacked and dragged away by a leopard Monday night was rescued, thanks to the prompt action of the boy's father. The man fought off the animal to save his son from the clutches of the animal.

The incident took place in a village close to India's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, located nearly 273 miles from New Delhi.

The boy, identified as Sandeep, was in front of his home when the leopard pounced on him. His father, identified as Radhe Yadav, saw the leopard dragging away his son when he was parking his bike outside his house.

The father jumped at the leopard and caught its hind leg. Hearing their screams, neighbors rushed to the scene and attacked the leopard with sticks, the Times of India reported. The leopard released the boy from its jaws and escaped.

The child, however, suffered multiple injuries and was rushed to a community health center. His condition is stable but he is still in a state of shock, English Lokmat reported citing local news agency IANS.

Just two weeks ago, a 12-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard in the same area. Local residents suspect the same leopard was involved in both the attacks.

"This area is affected by floods which is why the leopard has shifted toward it. The village is also on the banks of Ghaghra river and is surrounded by flood waters. The only way to reach the village from the city is by boat. We are unable to carry a cage to the village at the moment, but we have installed two fox lights to keep wild animals away at night. Locals have been advised to be cautious and keep children indoors after sunset," Anil Patel, divisional forest officer, said, Times of India reported.

The 12-year-old was picking vegetables from his family field when the leopard jumped on him from a tree. Some people who were working nearby rushed to the area after hearing the child's cries but by the time they spotted the child, he was unresponsive and bleeding profusely. The boy was rushed to a hospital but he died later.

leopard
Representational image. Pixabay
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