Report from George Markie
Opportunity for Investigation
From the Dundee Courier, 18 th January 2002
Sir - Following my letter dismissing the presence of big cats in this country
(January 15), I feel I should make further comment.
This is a really good opportunity for a proper investigation.
A careful examination of the wounds caused with the necessary measurement could give clues as to the species of animal concerned, as would a thorough search of the locus for tracks, hair caught in fences,etc. the real clincher would be to find DNA traces of the animal's saliva on the victim's clothing.
Two things worry me in relation to this being a cat attack. Firstly, the absense of claw marks which one would expect to be severe. Cats, unlike dogs, attack with their fore feet to strike and hold. They use their mouths to grip the throat of their prey ans so asphyxiate. Bite marks on the thigh are more consistent with a dog attack.
Secondly, the colour of the animal was described as black. The only big cat that is black is the leopard, but black leopards are quite rare, which is odd, because most reported sightings seem to be of black animals.
A.B. Fuchter
7 North Bank Street
Monifieth.
Dundee Courier, 18 th January 2002
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