Another sighting of 'black panther' near Carlisle

By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 11:33, Tuesday, 21 February 2012

It was early evening and the light was fading fast.

Have your say

I seen some pigs flying into the sky the other day, they def had wings.

Posted by howard atkinson on 21 February 2012 at 11:12

My mam has lived in Rockcliffe for 15 years and a few of years ago she bought 3 Husky dogs so she walks them around the village late at night and she first seen the black cat about two years ago the first time she seen it she was so scared that she called her husband to come and get her, one of the dogs was about 12 months old at the time but the other 2 were just pups, after the first time she saw it she would only go out during daylight with the dogs and by brother used to go with her. All the dogs a bigger now so she goes out at night to take them on their last walk, she has now seen the big black cat several times she takes a powerful tourch out with her but the dogs always sense when the cat is about and they get very excited. Thre is so much wildlife that the cat would eat wild rabbits and deer that it wouldn't need to take sheep. CFM radio reported it on their news the first time she seen it and it was only last year this very paper ran a story about a guy running in Rockcliffe that seen it last year.
It is very easy to mock people and this is why some people nevr report sighting as everyone thinks you are crazy I dare any of you people to walk round the village past the school on the way out of Rockcliffe after dark.
The thing about the cat is that it is not scared of people which makes it dangerous, and is something that needs caught before someone gets hurt as it is too late then. But who's responsibility is it to do something about it that is the question.

Posted by Debbie on 20 February 2012 at 20:55

I live in Rockcliffe and there has been sightings of this animal for a few years now, i however have not seen it myself. There has also been no reports of missing farm animals, so if there truly is one I don't know what it is surviving on!But just because a few people have said they have seen it doesnt mean they are lying or seeing things!

Posted by Emma on 20 February 2012 at 20:50

There has been numerous kills of farmers livestock locally(not all dogs/foxes are to blame)I have spoken to these farmers and they tell me the damage to their livestock can only come from a large cat,the proof is out there when you look further into'big cats in the uk', can you imagine the hysteria if the news announced there are big cats running amongst us? google it or read the newest book out 'Big cats facing Britains wild predators by Rick Minter' fantastic book for the interested and skeptics!then come back to me when you have finished running around in your fancy cat costume and tell me different!

Posted by bigcatsincumbria on 20 February 2012 at 17:41

So if we are to believe that a driver of a bus in semi light and needs thick spectacles saw a big black panther out in a feild then why hasnt any people living in the area seen it too ? Why hasnt any of these cats been tracked and caught ? there are people who can catch wild cats in no time as there are only a limited number of suitable places it would bed down and its scent and droppings and foot prints plus missing dead farm birds or other small prey would be littered all over the place .People backing this sighting with sighting of their own seems to suggest its been living there for years . Now that surely must be an indicator that its Mythical .

Posted by Honestly on 20 February 2012 at 15:14

think ill go for a walk around kingmoor nature reserve next sunday. sounds like something intresting happening in that area.anyone wana join me! never no what we will see!

Posted by annon on 20 February 2012 at 13:56

i saw a bigger than a normal house pet,pure black cat with longer tail and slot like bright yellow eyes.it was lying in long grass me thinking at that point that it was an ordinary cat i walked up to it,it shot away at a very fast rate when it spotted me.its black coat was silky black.that was on land just behind the waste place ( old J K INNES ) works just opp Kingmoor nature reserve car park at 3.00 pm yesterday have 2 witnesses

Posted by annon on 20 February 2012 at 13:51

I never really thought that running around in a cat costume, shouting meow/roar and occassionaly chewing on a lamb would fool so many people.

Posted by David on 20 February 2012 at 11:52

I saw a black panther in kingmoor nature reserve today. What stood out was its very long tail. My friend i was with also saw it. Way to BIG to be a domestic cat. You dont believe until you see it for yourself.

Posted by anon on 20 February 2012 at 09:55

Don't know about Panthers but I have definitely seen a black Jaguar at the top of Kingstown Broadway near the junction with Kingstown Road. I stared at it for a while and it didn't move but I wasn't intimidated by it at all. In the end, I just crossed the road and had a look at the BMWs instead.

Posted by BM on 19 February 2012 at 21:08