Report from Chris Smith
Grandad's fears after sighting of 'big cat'
From the East Lothian Courier, 10 th May 2002
Reports of a panther-like beast spotted on the outskirts of Haddington recently have raised fears for the safety of youngsters living in the area.
Douglas Ross, 72, a retired rope maker from Kippielaw Road, Dalkeith, was driving towards Haddington last Friday at around 6 pm and was just passing the entrance to Stevenson House when the beast ran out in front of him.
"It was a black animal, very low to the ground and moving in a distinctly cat-like manner," he said. It came out right in front of me and moved very fast, so I only saw it for an instant. It was about the same length as a deer, and I had seen two deer cross the road earlier, so it could have been hunting them."
An unidentified animal, which wildlife experts believed could be a large feral cat, has been spotted in various areas around Haddington in recent months, and Mr Ross said his son had seen the creature at the same spot just a few months ago.
"I go down that road quite a lot and often see deer, but my son saw the same cat-like creature a while ago and I would say it is definitely panther-like," he said. "I think there should be some serious investigation into what this animal is, as it is near an area where small children, including my grandchildren, live and I don't think it is terribly safe to have this thing running around near kids.
Police warned members of the public to be on the lookout for the creature and not to approach it if it was spotted.
East Lothian Courier, 10 th May 2002
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