Could the big cat spotted at Sittingbourne be similar to the puma pictured above?

by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A big cat has been sighted in Sittingbourne.

Kent Big Cat researcher Neil Arnold says a couple contacted him claiming to have seen a large Labrador-sized cat which was beige in colour with a thick long tail behind the Cross and Wells fruit packaging factory at Milton Creek, Saxon Shore Way on the Eurolink Estate.

The couple, who spotted the big cat as they were walking their dogs at about 3pm on December 20, claim the creature sprang into the air, causing a pheasant to take off. The animal then walked along the bank and sprung in to the air once more before disappearing in the undergrowth out of sight.

According to Mr Arnold, over the last year there have been several sightings of both a puma and black leopard around Sittingbourne and the Medway Towns. The last two sightings at Sittingbourne emerged a couple of months ago at Bobbing and Iwade, but more recently there have been four sightings of a big black cat near Blue Bell Hill and also one on the Lower Rainham Road.

Mr Arnold said: "There is evidence that these big cats exist such as hair samples, paw prints which casts have been taken of and even dead sheep in trees.

"Big cats were kept as pets in the 1960s but then in 1976 the Dangerous Animals Act was introduced - people panicked and let them loose.

"Travelling zoos were also very popular many years ago. They used to have lynxes and pumas and if one escaped they weren't likely to report it."

• If you see the big cat call Neil Arnold on 01634 830384 or email neil.arnold@live.com