Have You Seen A Big Cat?

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jejquade

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A giant puma-like cat has attacked a man in his garden in a leafy suburb of London, police have said.

Anthony-John Holder from Sydenham Park, south east London, spotted the creature in his back garden and went out to investigate.

But the animal - the size of a Labrador dog - attacked Mr Holder, scratching him.

He said: "It was growling, growling at me and hissing and it then started scratching ... I just had to get it off my chest."

The 37-year-old told LBC radio station: "All of a sudden I see this big black thing pouncing at me, knocked me flying.

"I just didn't know where I was, and the next thing there was this big black figure laying on my chest.

"All I was worried about then was my family, wife and my children."

He added: "This thing knew what it wanted. If I was weak I think it could have killed me and then it could have gone on to hurt my family and everything else."

Mr Holder was treated at the scene by paramedics and police searched the garden before seeking advice from London Zoo and the RSPCA.

A police spokesman said: "We are advising the local public if they see the animal, do not approach it and keep pets indoors."

Sightings of big cats around the UK are not unusual but attacks on people are rare.

Evidence including footprints and droppings has led many to believe a number of big cats are roaming the country.

It is thought they may have formerly been kept as pets or escaped from private zoos.










Has anyone ever seen one?
:what:
 
Originally posted by jejquade@Mar 23 2005, 05:40 PM
Has anyone ever seen one?
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I have on two occasions as it happens. About ten years or so ago in company with a colleague of mine we were driving down a farm lane on Bodmin Moor and this big cat like the one described above jumped down out of the hedge in front of us trotted down the lane in front of us for 100 yards or so, continually looking back at our vehicle . It then stopped, half turned to look at us, then jumped up and through the hedge again. Down here there are regular sightings especially in the Cardinham Wood area but no one reports them as they never trouble anyone although an attack was once reported but not substantiated. Any local could take you to certain areas on the Moor and within a few days you could be expected to see one. The Beast of Bodmin as it's known does exist I assure you.

The Christmas before last as I was driving towards Launceston at 5.30 in the morning , one ran across the road in front of me. I was on my own, couldn't prove anything and have never mentioned it to anyone other than at home.


Looks like there's one on here, a new member called purr :ph34r:
 
As far back as the 1960s, 'black cats' were being reported on Dartmoor. The Beast of Bodmin must now be about 50 years old, too! There was a programme on telly a few weeks back about this subject, and the idea is that they are possibly escapees from private zoos, or released animals who've outgrown their cuteness as pets. No doubt they've learned survival skills and may even manage to breed successfully. Nope, I've never seen one, but I'd like to. (Thinks: aah, another Bailey's, then...) :)
 
I must apologise for our cat causing all this furore . She is at least 2 ft high and 2ft wide and should be the largest cat in Britain . She's only vicious when confronted but is the largest cat in training . Responds to the title "Kitten" if you see her :ph34r:
 
Have you weighed her, Sols? I believe the fattest cat in Britain bust the scales at something like 22lbs, but that might be an underestimate.
 
Was going to do a Merlinesque joke there but I'll contain myself and just say bet my cat's bigger than your cat
 
Okay, okay, settle down at the back, there. Right, class, now which one of you thinks they have the biggest pussy, hmm?

(You can thank me later for getting that out of the way, DG.)
 
They knocked a puma or something down and killed it in the 80's near where i live in Hayling Island.


A woman who ran it over in her car killed a jungle cat on Hayling Island, Portsmouth in the summer of 1988. The Portsmouth Evening News had a photograph of the woman holding the animal. It seemed to be part of a colony because, despite its demise, sightings continued
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There have been many sightings of large cats in this area, especially Dartmoor. I haven't seen one, but a few years ago I came across some very large paw prints .
I have also seen plenty of savaged sheep on Dartmoor, mostly ewes with their throats and stomachs ripped out. Yes , it could be dogs, but the locals seem to think its a large cat. About this time two years ago, a village called Wrangaton reported sightings of a lion on the outskirts of the moor. Clarence no doubt!
 
Cats don't you just love 'em!



catmoods.jpg
 
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