Stalked by a Puma?
From a report to Scottish Big Cats, 1964
"I saw what I believe to be a puma some years ago. I was about 12 years old at the time which was in 1964, and was on holiday with my parents in Wigton, Dumfries.
The landlady's husband was a gamekeeper in 'Barr' and he invited us there for a day. I went out for a stroll in the forest, keeping to the path as I could hear the wild cats screaming inside the forest.
A good bit along the path I saw what I thought to be a Golden Labrador, although slightly smaller. Thinking it was another gamekeeper's dog, I was a bit wary, being young at the time. I thought about going another way but it was getting pretty dark and listening to the wildcats screaming I thought twice about it.
After waiting for what seemed like ages and hoping some adult would appear I decided to press on. As I took a few steps forward, the animal did the same, so when I stopped it also stopped and sat down watching me. After about five minutes I again took a few steps forward and it repeated the same, when I stopped it also stopped, sitting down again. Being frightened of how dark it was becoming and this animal seeming to play games with me I decided I had to make a move. So I started to walk towards it when all of a sudden it leapt into the forest. It was then I noticed how long it really was, longer and larger than a wildcat but smaller than a Labrador and fawn in colour.
I told my family when I got back but they disbelieved me. I remember writing it down at the time.
1964
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