Report from Leo Martin
We've Seen The Phantom Puma Of Dundonald
From the Kilmarnock Standard, 18 th October 1996
Stephan Steiner and his brother-in-law Andrew Malcomson don't need much to convince them that there is a puma-like animal living wild near Dundonald. They say that they've seen it on several occasions. The pair often go hunting for rabbits and hares.
In the last few weeks the Standard has reported on several sightings of a puma like creature in the Dundonald area. When Stephen saw the reports he decided to call us.
Stephen says 'We've seen this creature three or four times in the last month. The first time we saw it, it was on the road from Dundonald to Fiveways and it attacked the car. Other people have seen a large cat -about the size of a Labrador dog- in the same area and at least two other motorists have reported that it has attacked their cars.
Stephan of 31 Warley Drive Dundonald, says that the other times they have seen the cat , it has been on the fields. 'One time it sat watching us for a little while then it bounded off.
Stephen is used to dogs and says 'There is no doubt in my mind that this was no dog .It was too agile and it moved like a cat.
Stephen says that his worry is that with winter coming on , that the creature will become bolder in its search for food. 'I'm concerned that it might come in to the village.
Stephen says 'We dont know enough about it to say that it will not attack a child or domestic pets.
So far Stephen and Andrew have not taken a camera with them on their hunting trips, but Stephen told us 'I think we'll start taking a camera'. But so far, Stephen and Andrew are going to stick to hunting rabbits and hares and leave the big game alone.
18 th October 1996
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