After an eight-hour operation, the Forest department personnel were successful in trapping a two-year-old male leopard that had entered a house at Nagenahalli in Hassan taluk on Friday.

The leopard had strayed into the house to hunt for a dog. Alerted by residents, Forest department, Fire and Emergency Services personnel and police rushed to the spot and began the operation. Intermittent rain disrupted the activity, even as the personnel continued the operation by creating smoke-laced with chilli powder and bursting of crackers.

Residents said there were more leopards in the region and urged the Forest department to take steps.

Speaking to DH, Deputy Conservator of Forests Shivararm Babu said, “Since it was a spacious house, it was difficult for the personnel to trace the leopard and tranquillise it. The animal is healthy, though it has sustained minor injuries while moving about in the house. It will be provided necessary treatment and later released into the forest.”