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Primary School in Lock-Down as 4ft Growling Ginger 'Puma' Terrorises
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Primary School in Lock-Down as 4ft Growling Ginger 'Puma' Terrorises
Community
Daily Mail: 14th October 2008
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A primary school has been put on 'lock-down' after a big cat was
spotted prowling the perimeter making 'terrible growling noises'.
Classroom assistant Rosemary Robertson reported seeing the 4ft-long
animal peering into the playground.
A group of pupils also claim to have watched the creature for 30
seconds before it ran away.
Mrs Robertson said: 'It was like a gingery colour, but three or four
times the size (of a tom cat) and it made this terrible growling noise.
'The reason I know it was not a domestic cat was because of that awful
sound it made.
'I have looked up websites since and it was definitely the kind of
sound a big cat, such as a puma, makes.'
Police were called to the scene and sent two patrol cars and four
officers to search the area.
Staff at Balcombe Primary School in Haywards Heath have been told to
keep a look out for the giant cat and have been told to ensure all
gates are closed and that the school is secure.
Headteacher Terry Harris sent a letter to parents of all 140 pupils
informing them about the sighting.
It states: 'Since the sighting we have informed the police who are
currently investigating the location of the sighting.
'We have secured the perimeter of the school and informed Balcombe
estate.'
Mr Harris reassured parents that a 6ft fence around the school's top
playground would be 'ample protection' from a big cat.
He said: 'It's a difficult one as a headteacher, as I didn't want to
worry parents unnecessarily, but felt I should inform them as,
although it seems strange, Rosemary saw it and I believe exactly what
she said.
'In a small village, news like this goes around like wildfire and I
have had people stopping me and talking about it.
'I have been at the school for a long time and nothing like this has
happened before.'
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: 'When we got this
letter we sort of thought it was a joke - but when we finished reading
it we were genuinely worried.
'This is not just a normal cat. Rosemary and some children watched it
for half a minute and said it was three or four times the size of a
tom cat.
'That makes it about 4ft-long, not including the tail - and that most
certainly is worrying.
'I have told my son to keep his eyes peeled when he goes to school.
You just never know. It's better to be safe than sorry.'
A spokesman for West Sussex Police confirmed that officers had
attended the school after the sighting last week, adding: 'We sent
officers to look at the area after the report of a sighting of a big cat.'
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.
Have your say on the forum.