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Beast of Hoddlesdon Most Likely a Wildcat
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Beast of Hoddlesdon Most Likely a Wildcat
Lancashire Telegraph: 27th May 2008
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NATURE expert Ron Freethy has said the Beast of Hoddlesden is probably
a wildcat.
There have been a number of reported sightings of a cat-like animal.
Jennifer Smith from Hoddlesden reported seeing a metre-long dapple
pale brown creature which had a white, spotted face and a dark ringed
tail stalking hedges around Harwoods Lane near to the old railway line
and graveyard.
Mary Blackwell, from Darwen, has seen two creatures. She said they had
faces like pumas and were greyish.
Mr Freethy said: "The description is too small for a puma and the
wrong colour, but the spots and ring tail sound right.
"The most likely explanation is they are wildcats.
"Wildcats used to be common in this area until they became extinct
here in the 1700s. They were shot and poisoned by the farmers.
"But now they have started to come down from Scotland to our hilly areas.
"They do not like human beings and normally run away, but if you
corner them you can get bitten."
Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person
involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could
give us.
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