Tension in Lugari as strange animal, alleged to be a leopard, kill over 20 dogs

Area Nyumba kumi official Justus Lusweti said residents are living in fear after losing many dogs in a span of a few weeks.

“I have lost many dogs. I had 20 dogs, but most of them have been eaten, and I know many other villagers who have lost dogs, nearly 50 dogs have been killed, and eaten,” Lusweti told Wananchi on phone.

“I am urging the KWS to come for their animal. I have had to sleep with my dogs in the house because they are likely to be mauled by the wild animal,” Lusweti said.

Alice Muhembi recounted how her beautiful dog was torn into pieces one night – after it kept wailing in a futile attempt to keep off the strange animal after it sneaked into her compound a few days ago.

“I woke up the following morning and was shocked to find my dog lying dead, most of it eaten,” said Muhembi.

According to Boniface Wanjala, a resident in the village, the situation is fast becoming a concern.

"You will hear dogs barking uncontrollably at night, the noise rents the entire village,” said Wanjala.

“This is why we have had to move our livestock from their sheds, instead spending nights with them inside our houses. We don’t know what it is," he said.

According to the residents, officers from the Kenya Forest and Wildlife department have been made aware about the attacks, and have already visited the village.

“The officers came to the village. They are in the process of laying a trap to try and catch it before it causes more harm.”

“So far, based on its behaviour the officers said it could be a leopard which has the tendency of living in thickets and forested areas, and along river banks near human settlements,” a resident told Mwananchi Reporting.

The Kenya Forest officials are in the process of laying a trap to try and catch the wild animal.

Although no one really knows, or has even seen the animal, many, including the wildlife officials believe it could be a leopard.

Leopards are known for their ability to hide, during the day, only to come out at night to hunt for food in human settlements.

The residents had expressed their concern, fearing that the animal if not contained could harm their school going children.