`Tiger' fights leopard, saves hill woman.... PET DOG RESCUED MOTHER FROM ATTACK, SAYS DAUGHTER

Vivek Chettri, TT, 15 August 2019, Darjeeling: "Tiger" chased out a leopard to save the life of a 58-year-old woman.

Aruna Lama was at her house at Naya Goan in Sonada, around 16km from Darjeeling, on Wednesday night when she heard chickens clucking.

"I and my mom went to the godown where the chickens were kept and our initial thoughts were that a mongoose might have entered the godown," said Smriti, the daughter of Aruna.

As soon as Aruna and her daughter entered the godown, a pair of eyes was glowing in the dark. "I immediately thought it was a leopard but somehow the door of the godown had shut," Smriti recalled.

It was then that the leopard attacked Aruna. "As she was being attacked, our pet dog, Tiger, entered the godown and started fighting the leopard," the daughter added.

The fight continued for a few minutes and the four-year-old mongrel chased the leopard away. "It was because of Tiger that my mom could escape the attack," Smriti added.

Aruna was first taken to a primary health centre in Sonada and later referred to the Darjeeling district hospital. She received 20 stitches on the right side of her forehead and four near one of her ears. She also suffered bruises.

Family members said the condition of Aruna was stable.

Forest department officials visited the village on Thursday and decided to set a trap for the leopard.

Over the past couple of years, there have been numerous leopard sightings across the hills..