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 Mark of the Beast

Big Cats in Britain

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Mark of the Beast By Lynn Grainger

Stafford Post: 10th July 2008

Stafford Post
   
Is this the mark of the beast?
This week the Post has obtained the first 'hard evidence' of the big cat that could be stalking Stafford.
This large paw print is just one of the images captured by staff and players at the town's Castle Golf Club during the past week.
The print, which measures approximately four inches in length, was discovered there last Thursday by green keeper Danny Adams. The lighter placed next to it reveals its scale.
Local golfer Ray Bright, who has also photographed the 'marks of the beast', told us he is 'positive' the creature is out there.
"I played on Sunday and found some prints. It looks as though whatever it is plays in the bunkers," he said.
After close examination of the paw marks he came to the conclusion it must be a creature larger than a cat or a dog.
"The prints are massive," he said. "It's not a fox because I know how big their marks are. And I've checked and I don't know of anyone who walks a large dog like a Great Dane over the course.
"There's definitely something out there. I know people say [big cats] can't survive in the wild here but I think they could because they can always catch and eat the birds."
More than half-a-dozen eyewitnesses have approached the Post in recent weeks to tell of their incredible encounters with a black, panther-like creature in the area.
It has been spotted as far a field as Gnosall, as well as appearing in Castlefields (near the golf course) and Western Downs.
However, animal experts are divided over the possibility of a big cat surviving in Stafford Borough.
Lesley Smith, from Eccleshall Wildlife Sanctuary, rubbished the claims. "These cats must have been released from captivity. In captivity they are never fed live prey. So who taught them to hunt and feed?"
But Daniel Bamping, founder of the Big Cats Society, is convinced 'something' could be prowling our streets and fields. "They are definitely out there," he said. "The Dangerous Wild Animals Act introduced in 1976 resulted in people releasing big cats on purpose as owners of exotic pets had to pay huge annual license fees."
* Do you have hard evidence of the Beast of Stafford? Contact the Post on 01785 212370 or write to us at 35 Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LZ. Email: stafford_post@mrn.co.uk.

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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