Psychologist kills leopard to protect pet dog in Maharashtra

A 55-year-old psychologist named Ashish Mahajan killed a leopard to protect his dog in Chiplun, Maharashtra. The incident happened early on Sunday morning when Mahajan heard his dog barking. He went outside with a flashlight and saw the leopard about to attack. Mahajan tried to scare the leopard away, but it charged at him instead. His wife, Supriya, heard his screams and threw him a spear. Mahajan used the spear to defend himself, hitting the leopard in the neck and chest. The struggle lasted around 15 minutes, and Mahajan was injured during the fight. He is currently recovering in the hospital, and his family says he is in stable condition. The leopard, a two-year-old female, was found dead with injuries on its chest, legs, and neck. Local officials confirmed that Mahajan would receive help covering his hospital expenses. Residents are being advised to be cautious when going outdoors in the area. Mahajan had moved to Chiplun two years ago for a more sustainable lifestyle after working in Pune.