Coimbatore:
A nine-year old boy was mauled to death by a leopard while he was playing at an estate near his house in Valparai area in Coimbatore, police said on Thursday.
Manisankar was playing in the backyard of his house on Wednesday evening when a leopard, which strayed into the area, dragged him into a bush.
Hearing the sound, his parents and neighbours rushed with sticks and rods but could not rescue him.
Relatives and estate workers refused to accept the body after post-mortem this afternoon, demanding protection from the wild beast.
However, they later relented following an assurance from the forest department officials that steps are being taken to catch the animal.