The growing number of incidents of leopard attacks on humans in the city has started a debate as to whether one of these spotted cats has become a maneater. The latest incident, in which Anthony VK, a private security guard in his fifties was killed and partially eaten while on duty at the water purification plant at Bhandup on Thursday, has raised questions as to how the animal managed to take down its adult victim.

Going by what forest department officials have elicited and based on expert opinion regarding leopard behaviour, Anthony may have been squatting on the ground, or sleeping while in an inebriated condition when the leopard pounced. The leopard attacked Anthony near his guard cabin and then dragged him for around 200 metres before settling down to eat.