Report from Chris Smith

Large cat-like animal shot at Bettyhill

From 'Eyewitness Accounts' in Cat Country, The Quest for the British Big Catby Di Francis, David and Charles, 1983

November/December 1977, Bettyhill, Sutherland

A few days later, Donald Mackenzie and his son James were out lamping for foxes. On the shoreline by Bettyhill, on the east side of the River Naver, they spotted a large cat-like animal in the lamp beam. The animal seemed to race towards them and Mf Mackenzie fired with a .22 rifle. The creature rolled as though it had been hit then regained its feet, jumped a wall and made its escape across the river. The following day a thorouh search of the area was made in case the animal was wounded and therefore dangerous. There was no sign of it, but cat-like tracks were found in the mud. These measured 3 in in diameter. A further search revealed eight more carcasses identical to the one found by Mr Todd but in varying stages of decomposition.

November/December 1977

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