BIG cat sightings are reported throughout the nation every year, and Herefordshire is no exception with attacks on stock and sightings in dark lanes reported throughout the years.
A wave of ‘black monster’ sightings were reported throughout the late 1990s, with well-known Herefordshire cases consist of the Woolhope Wildcat in 1994 and many reports of the Herefordshire Phantom Feline, likewise referred to as ‘Huge Puss’, from 1996 to 2000.
A lot of the sightings remained in the north Herefordshire and Woolhope locations, with strong proof indicating the existence of a huge cat in the Pembridge location in the 1990s, however other sightings were reported in the south of the county.
We have actually created a map of the Herefordshire huge cat sightings reported to the Hereford Times from our archives.
Click the pins on the map to see more details about each sighting.
Sightings dropped off throughout the 2000s, with considerably less reports of huge felines in the county.
They did not stop totally, with Hereford male Steve Hall reporting a sighting of a feline-like animal, about two-and-a-half feet high, stalking its method over farmland near Newtown Crossroads in December 2009.
The then-30-year-old, who shot the encounter, stated: “The wind was blowing in my instructions so it could not notice me.
” It was simply strolling throughout the hedge and after that it saw us and beinged in the hedge a bit seeing.”.
Steve and his pal Dave Went were strolling their canines on the other side of the field when they saw it however handled to focus and get an unstable shot of the animal prior to it left.
LIKEWISE READ:
Dave stated: “I believed I saw one a couple of years ago however I wasn’t too sure as it was dark, however this video shows they are regional. It was far too huge to be a domestic cat.”.
Absolutely nothing has actually ever been shown however Steve, who was out shooting his own family pets for a site he runs when it occurred, is determined this is the genuine thing.
” I head out all the time in the countryside and understand the distinction in between a cat and a dog,” he stated. “This was absolutely a huge cat.”.
Another tip to their existence came the next week, when Pauline Mannion stated 4 of her sheep had actually been killed in suspicious scenarios in the very same location.
” Possibly there are huge felines out there. I truly do not understand,” stated Mrs Mannion.
” If someone has actually seen one I would have no factor to disbelieve them.”.
More injuries were reported in July 2010, when Rachel Baugh’s horse was entrusted to a deep injury and scratches she was informed by a specialist might have been brought on by a huge cat.
Path marks were likewise found near the stables in Upton Bishop.
” The only thing I might state was that it appeared like a huge cat attack as I could not believe what else it might have been,” she stated.
And in July 2014, a mystical huge cat was found in Lugwardine by Debbie Smithers, who was taking a trip from Whitecross to St Michael’s Hospice at around 8.55 pm when she discovered what she referred to as a “big, dark cat” on Lumber Lane, near Lugwardine.
” It had to do with 3 feet high, based on the opposite carriageway of the roadway, dealing with Hereford,” stated Mrs Smithers, a nurse at the hospice.
” Within seconds its tail increased and it sort of with dignity hurdled into the edge and into the hedge.”.
Wish to keep up to date with all the most recent news for your area? It’s simple, simply register for our weekly e-mail newsletter here and all the essential stories that matter to you will be provided directly to your inbox.
