Big Cat Eludes Hunt
Police sharp shooters remain on standby after a fresh sighting of a
puma-like cat which killed a dog in a savage attack.
A helicopter using heat seeking equipment has already scoured the west Wales
countryside after the sighting at Broadoak, near Llandeilo.
The news comes as the British Big Cat Society revealed there were more than
1,000 big cat sightings reported across Britain last year.
However, the society estimates that for every reported sighting of a big cat
two to three others go unreported.
Violent attack
Dyfed Powys police have been strenuously attempting to track down and either
kill or trap a puma-like big cat since it appeared two weeks ago with no
success.
In a violent attack on a whippet close to a farm in Llangadog, the animal
ripped out the dog's throat.
A woman from Broadoak on Monday reported the latest sighting of the big cat
after it bounded over a roadside hedge on the A40.
A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman said: "At the end of the day our role is not
to be big game hunters but to safeguard the public."
'Dangerous'
He added: "According to our advice these cats can travel 30 to 40 miles
before breakfast and run at speeds of up to 50mph.
"This is a big animal and a dangerous one in the wrong circumstances.
"If the circumstances are right we would try to tranquillise it with the
help of members of the RSPCA."
Sky News: January 20th, 2003.
Do you have any information on the above news item. 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.