Dog was killed and eaten by 'big cat'

Electronic Telegraph ^ | 13/01/2003 | Richard Savill

[aculeus]

Claims that a panther-like animal may be roaming the Black Mountains of Wales have been confirmed by a post mortem examination which showed that a dog was killed and partly eaten by a larger predator.

DNA samples will be taken from hairs found in the whippet's mouth to try to determine what beast killed the seven-year-old dog at a remote smallholding near Llangadog a week ago.

The tests, arranged by the Welsh Assembly's wildlife advisory unit, are expected to take at least two weeks. Paw prints in the snow - almost certainly made by the cat - have also been found.

A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman said: "The post mortem examination and independent witness accounts are all adding to evidence that we have a large panther-like animal on the prowl. The DNA tests will hopefully be conclusive."

Police marksmen with sniper rifles were called to the hilly countryside after the incident. The dog was attacked by the larger animal, which was then joined by what was thought to be its cub.

Police issued a warning to farmers not to go out alone in the dark after Michael Sheppard, 62, came face to face with the animal while searching for the whippet, which had been reported missing by its owner.

Mr Sheppard told police the cat was covered in blood and standing over the dog's body.

Tests showed that the animal had been in the process of eating the pet. Since the attack, there have been two further sightings, one at a creamery in Llangadog at 2am last Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs said no inquiry was planned.

"There is no evidence of a sizeable population of big cats breeding in the wild."

There have been numerous sighting of big cats in the Welsh countryside. Some experts believe they are successfully rearing young and living off small mammals, but also taking sheep and young ponies.

[beaversmom]

Poor kitty--he's gotta eat too. Maybe they could trap him by putting out a really big can of Friskies.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Cat eats dog near Llangadog.

Tests showed that the animal had been in the process of eating the pet.

It used to be, that this sort of thing was determined by simple observation. No wonder Llangadog is going to the cats.

Whippet, whippet good. ~DEVO

[lawnguy]

Ernie Ladd ate a dog?

[Jemian]

Was the book true to the Basil Rathbone movie, and was it as good?

The correct question is, "Was the movie true to the book...?"

Not entirely and it wasn't as good. Movies very rarely are. The directors and producers never get the sets and characters quite right.

[Ken H]

Here's a question-- What is the first thing you know?

[org.whodat]

A cat is a cat is a cat. A donkey cross to a horse gives a mule, a mule is infertile. A donkey and a horse are different species. Ever see a common hose cat cross breed with a bobcat. Now think, don't all dogs cross breed.

[Torie]

That looks like a beautiful Maine coon cat.

[A CA Guy]

I have a 4 pound Yorky and a 20 pound black cat. I guess thank goodness they get along or the little dog would be vittles!

[hoosierskypilot]

I thought that was the Hound of the Baskervilles. He killed it, too. (Don't tell PETA.)

[unspun]

Picture, please.

No wonder those hillfolk in Wales are keeping this to themselves.

[unspun]

A few weeks ago, I dropped in at the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It was at 223 Baker Street, though, as I recall. There is a bank building taking up 221.

I don't remember seeing a cat, but I've been in a bookstore that had a cat and I suspect they've sold "Hound of the Baskervilles" there.

I just walked.

[MissAmericanPie]

LOL

[patriciaruth]

Ping!

[Meem the Scream]

You made me chuckle!

[Meem the Scream]

You're completely right. The movie is never as good as the book, and I think it's because one's own imagination from reading the book is always going to be better than someone else's interpretation. I'm always disappointed with the movie… even Gone With the Wind. Though I love the movie like crazy, the book was so much better.

[Jemian]

Of course. I had forgotten that. It occurs very early in the book, around the fourth or fifth chapter.

Silly me.

[NYTexan]

"They apparently have an affinity for poodles!"

Must be a fondness for french cuisine !