India, March 19 -- Frequent leopard sightings - including an unexpected visit on Tuesday - is holding Raheja Heights, a gated community in Dindoshi, Malad east, hostage.

Tuesday's visit, captured in the wee hours on CCTV, resulted in the death of Alfie, the housing society's beloved stray; no humans were harmed. But fear is palpable among the 1,000-odd residents of the housing complex, where daily routines are beginning shift and centre around self-preservation.

Tuesday's intrusion was discovered after residents on their morning walk came upon Alfie's carcass, prompting them to check CCTV footage. In their parking lot was a leopard, which had entered the premises at 3:41am. In the next half hour, it had attacked and killed Alfie. Unable...