Palghar, Maharashtra: A terrifying incident unfolded in Katale village, located east of Palghar, when an unknown wild animal attacked a goat farm late Tuesday night, resulting in the death of 14 goats. The chilling discovery has sent shockwaves through the local community, instilling fear among local residents.

Kiran Patil, the owner of the goat farm situated on the banks of a river in Katale, under the Manor police station limits, was horrified to find the gruesome scene on Wednesday morning upon arriving at the farm to feed the animals.

Fourteen goats were found lifeless, while others were left writhing in pain. Alarmingly, there were signs of the bodies being dragged out of the enclosure, suggesting a forceful attack.

The local forest department has been notified of the incident. A team of officials visited the site to conduct an investigation and determine which animal was behind the attack. Based on the footprints found at the scene, residents suspect a leopard, though this has not been confirmed.

Incidents of wild animals venturing into human settlements have become increasingly common in Palghar and surrounding rural areas due to a growing wildlife population.

Locals have reported sightings of leopards in the area, and the growing frequency of such incidents has left farmers and those in animal husbandry particularly alarmed. The situation has prompted residents to urge the forest department to take immediate action to address the threat.

As the population of wild animals continues to grow, they are increasingly venturing into human-dominated spaces, posing a serious risk to both humans and livestock.

Local residents are calling for enhanced security measures to prevent further attacks. They are demanding that the forest department locate the animal responsible for the attack and increase security measures to prevent future incidents.

"The forest department must increase its search efforts and implement better safety protocols to avoid a potential disaster," one resident stated. For now, the local population remains on edge, hoping that swift action will be taken before another attack occurs.