Report from Leo Martin
Big Cats Are On The Prowl
From the Kilmarnock Standard, September 24 th 1996
More people have reported seeing big cats around Kilmarnock. After the article in the Standard a couple of week's ago reporting a spate of sightings of large puma-like animals, several more people have come forward to say that they have also seen similar animals.
A couple walking their dog along the River Irvine between Hurlford and Crokedholm, saw a large catlike creature, on the evening of September the 8 th. They described it as being like a large jungle cat, as big as a fully grown Labrador. It was fawn coloured with brown markings around the top of its head and ears.
Two days before, a factory worker in Darvel saw a large black cat-like creature walking along the disused railway line.
In August a man driving near the Dundonald Crossroads saw a large cat-like animal walking along the road. Again, it is described as being like a Labrador but with a fuller body and golden fawn in colour.
In the same area and also in August, a similar creature was seen by a motorist driving along the Dundonald to Drybridge Road.
A family driving between Dundonald and Kilmarnock saw a large creature leap into the fields near Fraser's Garden Centre, at Dundonald. It's movements were described as graceful and powerful.
In July a large cat-like animal was struck by a car on London Road, between Kilmarnock and Crookedholm. The animal emerged from bushes on to the road. The driver was able to brake, but even so he struck the animal. It ran off, but there was a dent in the cars registration plate.
Other big cats have been reported in other areas, such as near Mount House.
September 24 th 1996
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