gunsmith
member
according to folks I have asked,most farmers over there have nothing larger then .22lr's.
the article says "police have spotted the cat" maybe they should rethink the dumb policy that says police should not carry guns...
maybe they should ask all the abc paramillitary groups to patrol.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=439158
Big cat alert continues as pupils return to school
By Kim Kelly
[email protected]
01 September 2003
FARMERS are today patrolling fields in north Antrim as fears rise that the big cat on the loose is ready to kill again.
As children as young as four years old prepare to return to school today at Kilmoyle Primary near the last known sighting of the cat, parents are becoming increasingly anxious.
Despite reassurances from the USPCA that the animal is not a threat to public safety, some parents are demanding that their children are kept indoors during playtime.
And there have been reports from some Ulster big cat experts that the prowling beast is a danger to small children and must be caught before it "inevitably" attacks a human.
Big expert Stephen Bradley, who has worked as a lion tamer, is warning anyone who spots the beast not to turn their back on it.
"Big cats attack from behind - do not approach the puma and stay calm.
"It is a wild animal and will attack you if it feels under threat."
For several days, farm workers have been keeping a 24-hour watch over their cattle but fear the cat, believed to be a puma or mountain lion, may strike during daylight hours.
Farmers armed with guns say they are being forced to protect their flocks and will shoot the cat on sight.
Although the beast is thought to be a nocturnal animal, it was last seen 'herding' a flock of 180 sheep in a field at Benvardin Road near Ballybogey.
The puma has already killed four times, leaving bloody carcasses of sheep strewn in fields throughout the area.
Many other farm owners are blaming the beast for attacks on poultry and say the big cat has been seen around hen-houses and farm buildings.
It is now believed that the escaped puma is within a five-mile radius of the Benvardin Road between Ballybogey and Derrykeighan.
Despite an intensive search by USPCA experts, the animal has not been traced and police are no closer to finding out where the animal has escaped from.
RAF spotter planes and Army patrols have also failed to catch the big cat which has been seen by police officers on two separate occasions.
However, scores of people living along the rural north Antrim road have spotted the prowling beast and are becoming increasingly angry that the animal is still terrorising the countryside.
Farmer Brian Watton believes police need to re-focus their efforts on an area known locally as the Virgin Moss.
"My wife and I have both seen the puma. It is a small sandy-coloured cat, not that big but I have seen it clearly on many occasions."
Meanwhile, the USPCA has re-issued its appeal for the owner of the wild cat to get in touch with them.
"Everything possible is being done to capture the animal.
"Local people should not panic, however, if it is spotted. We are strongly urging you not to approach it," a spokesman said.
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the article says "police have spotted the cat" maybe they should rethink the dumb policy that says police should not carry guns...
maybe they should ask all the abc paramillitary groups to patrol.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=439158
Big cat alert continues as pupils return to school
By Kim Kelly
[email protected]
01 September 2003
FARMERS are today patrolling fields in north Antrim as fears rise that the big cat on the loose is ready to kill again.
As children as young as four years old prepare to return to school today at Kilmoyle Primary near the last known sighting of the cat, parents are becoming increasingly anxious.
Despite reassurances from the USPCA that the animal is not a threat to public safety, some parents are demanding that their children are kept indoors during playtime.
And there have been reports from some Ulster big cat experts that the prowling beast is a danger to small children and must be caught before it "inevitably" attacks a human.
Big expert Stephen Bradley, who has worked as a lion tamer, is warning anyone who spots the beast not to turn their back on it.
"Big cats attack from behind - do not approach the puma and stay calm.
"It is a wild animal and will attack you if it feels under threat."
For several days, farm workers have been keeping a 24-hour watch over their cattle but fear the cat, believed to be a puma or mountain lion, may strike during daylight hours.
Farmers armed with guns say they are being forced to protect their flocks and will shoot the cat on sight.
Although the beast is thought to be a nocturnal animal, it was last seen 'herding' a flock of 180 sheep in a field at Benvardin Road near Ballybogey.
The puma has already killed four times, leaving bloody carcasses of sheep strewn in fields throughout the area.
Many other farm owners are blaming the beast for attacks on poultry and say the big cat has been seen around hen-houses and farm buildings.
It is now believed that the escaped puma is within a five-mile radius of the Benvardin Road between Ballybogey and Derrykeighan.
Despite an intensive search by USPCA experts, the animal has not been traced and police are no closer to finding out where the animal has escaped from.
RAF spotter planes and Army patrols have also failed to catch the big cat which has been seen by police officers on two separate occasions.
However, scores of people living along the rural north Antrim road have spotted the prowling beast and are becoming increasingly angry that the animal is still terrorising the countryside.
Farmer Brian Watton believes police need to re-focus their efforts on an area known locally as the Virgin Moss.
"My wife and I have both seen the puma. It is a small sandy-coloured cat, not that big but I have seen it clearly on many occasions."
Meanwhile, the USPCA has re-issued its appeal for the owner of the wild cat to get in touch with them.
"Everything possible is being done to capture the animal.
"Local people should not panic, however, if it is spotted. We are strongly urging you not to approach it," a spokesman said.
Back | Return to top | Printable Story
