By Kim Kelly.
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Wildlife officer, Chief insp Mark Mason (right) and USPCA chief Stephen Philpott examine the latest victim of the animal stalking the hills around Bushmills and Benvarden in North Antrim.
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A BLOODY carcass found in a field just yards from a primary school due to reopen on Monday has sparked fears among parents that their children may be at risk from a big cat prowling in north Antrim.
The USPCA believes that a sheep found savaged at farmland near Kilmoyle Primary at Benvardin Road between Ballybogey and Dervock is the fourth victim of the puma or panther which has been on the loose for three weeks.
The sheep, which was only a few months old and partially lame, was found by two police officers early yesterday morning.
The officers spotted the sandy coloured puma across fields as they were driving home from work at around 7am.
They said the animal "eyeballed" them before making good its escape.
The officers followed but were unable to locate the big cat. However, they found the bloody remains of the sheep.
The USPCA said the killing bears all the hallmarks of a big cat attack.
This latest attack is just miles from a farm at Castlecatt Road where a farmer last week found the badly mauled body of his prize ram.
A group of parents who gathered at the scene yesterday said they were now fearful that the wild cat will attack children.
Although USPCA officials claim that the puma is unlikely to attack humans, a local big cat expert has warned parents to be alert to the dangers of the prowling beast.
One parent whose child attends Kilmoyle Primary said she was worried about allowing her daughter out to play.
"The school is only metres away from this latest kill. How can we let our children out to the play ground at lunchtime? It will not be safe for them.
"How can we protect our children from this? The police need to step up their search."
Local farmer Brian Watton believes that police are searching in the wrong place for the escaped puma.
Police have concentrated their search at a wooded area near Ballymoney. However, Mr Watton said the animal is living in an area known locally as Virgin Moss.
"I have seen the animal many times and my wife and daughter have seen it. It is living up near our house in the Virgin Moss. It is a light coloured animal, not as big as you would think and the underside of its tail is white, a bit like a fox.
"The police need to start looking up near my farm."
Belfast Telegraph: 29th August 2003.