This unusual black animal has been spotted stealing fish from a garden pond in Deal today.

Mum-of-one Samantha Simmonds posted a picture of the creature on Facebook at about 8.30am asking if anybody knew what is was.

It was spotted at the back of a house in Church Path.

Social media users went straight into a debate over whether it was an otter or a polecat.

Others even suggested it could be an American mink.

The animal was first spotted by Miss Simmonds' partner, Richard Hill, at 8.15am this morning.

Miss Simmonds said: “Something caught his eye and he went out. He stood about a foot apart from it. It seemed relatively timid.

“It was just sitting on the patio. We thought it wanted a drink and it went over to the pond and stole a fish then went into the shed.”

The family has also put cat food out for it.

The 29-year-old added: “It’s very strange. I don’t think it would hurt anybody. If it was going to it would have done so earlier.”

The family last checked their shed about four days ago and now think the creature could have been living in it since then.

She said: “There’s now a hole in door."

Both her cat and neighbour’s pugs have been acting differently in the past week.

“They must have been able to scent it,” she said.

The animal remains in the shed and Miss Simmonds has contacted a rescue centre who will collect the creature today.

Could this creature belong to you? Telephone us on 01304 365526.