Search launched for the 'Beast of Hoddlesden'

6:21pm Thursday 24th April 2008

Comments (20)   Have your say »

By Nafeesa Shan »

AN unidentified animal has been spotted roaming around the Darwen countryside, sparking fears that a wild cat has moved into the area.

The beast has seen stalking hedges around Harwoods Lane, Hoddlesden, near to the old railway line and the grave yard.

LET US KNOW

Have you seen the beast of Hoddlesden? Add your comments below.

The metre long feline, dubbed the Beast of Hoddlesden, was seen by a woman who lives in the village whilst she was out walking with her husband on Saturday evening.

The couple believe that the dapple pale brown creature which had a white spotted face and a dark ringed tail believe that it may have been a cheetah or a puma roaming around the field.

People in the area believe the unexplained sighting could be a puma' sighted in near Bankside Lane, Bacup, in February, or a wild cat that was sighted around 15 times in Edgworth and Belmont in 2004.

Or the couple may have simply mistaken a big dog.

But Jennifer Smith, of Hoddlesden, who saw the animal, is convinced it is not a domestic cat, dog or a fox.

She said: "It was stalking along a hedge. I asked my husband to bring the binoculars.

"He said it was a wild young cat maybe a cheetah or puma.

"We were a field away from this wild animal but half an hour later, I saw it again.

"It sneaked into the undergrowth when it spotted me.

"It stopped in its tracks and looked at me.

"Then it looked like it was making its way into private gardens.

"When the weather improves and children are playing it could be quite dangerous.

"Someone could have had it as a pet, its got too big and they have let it go."

Coun Julie Slater, for the East Rural ward, said: "She must have been petrified if she had seen it, it is quite worrying.

"There were reports of a wild cat in Belmont. Maybe it has come across the fields into Hoddlesden."

PC Nick Mattock, a wildlife officer for Lancashire Police, said: "We do occasionally receive reports regarding possible sightings of big cats.

"Whenever we receive a report of this nature, we will investigate it.

"Out of the reports we have received over the past year we have not found any evidence to support the sighting; for example paw prints and livestock kills.

"That is not to say that the sighting is not genuine, just that we have not found, or been made aware of supporting evidence.

"The nearest reported sightings we have had over the past year are in the Ramsbottom area, the other side of Hoddlesden Moss and Holcombe Moor.

"But a big cat in the wild may travel between ten and sixty miles a day to seek food.

"Any big cats in the English countryside are likely to be as a result of captive animals being released in 1976 when the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 was introduced to regulate the keeping of such creatures for public safety reasons.

"Some people found themselves unable to meet the conditions imposed by the Act and rather than give their animals up to the authorities, released them into the wild.

"It is possible that these animals may since have mated."