Since the 1960s, Britain has been abuzz with tales of big cats stalking the countryside. Compelling evidence such as video footage, photographs, and paw prints strongly support the notion that these feline giants are more than just a rural myth.
Indeed, experts acknowledge that former circus and private zoo animals could have established themselves in our fields and woodlands over the past half-century. Somerset has witnessed its fair share of peculiar encounters, particularly noting an uptick in sightings during a fortnight in February 2020.
Danny Bamping, from the British Big Cats Society, which dedicates itself to investigating the existence of these creatures in the UK, commented on local sightings: “There have been sightings near Chew Valley Lake and there was a sighting in Staunton several years ago. The Mendips and general area is a hotspot for big cat sightings.”
Remarkably, as recent as March 2023, a couple recorded what is considered the clearest footage of a big cat in Somerset, near Yeovil.
In Paulton, back in February 2020, Mrs Bond, residing on the town’s edge, reported seeing a large cat dashing through her garden. Her son, Derek Bond, recounted the incident, saying: “She heard this noise of something which dropped into the yard behind. She heard a clatter but then this thing walked by her,” as reports Bristol Live.
“It must have been big as it made thumping sounds on the pavement while it was walking.”
“She fell over backwards as she was surprised at what she saw and lost her balance.”
“She said she doesn’t know what it was.”
Mrs Bond described the creature as “powerful-looking with long legs”, had “short black hair” and was “at least big as a large Alsatian”. .
Matthew Edmonds, who claims to have seen something very similar to Mrs Bond’s description in Stanton Drew, considers himself very sharp-sighted when it comes to identifying British wildlife. He recounted: “”I was driving through Stanton one night with my girlfriend around 11pm at night and I saw a black cat which was absolutely huge.
“It was the size of a large dog, however, was very lean and had a glossy jet black coat. I witnessed it sat next to my girlfriend.”
“It ran across the road and up a grassy bank then squeezed through a hedge.”
“This cat had a tail as long as its legs and was no way a badger or domestic cat.”
Referring to Mrs Bond’s claim he added: “I am absolutely convinced this woman has seen the exact same animal.”
Allan Simmons, a lorry driver, also claims to have seen something similar near Gurney Slade. Despite believing he had captured it on his dashcam, the footage revealed nothing, leaving Mr Simmons puzzled.
Mr Simmons recounted his startling experience: “I was driving my lorry out of Gurney Slade back to the depot in Chilcompton around 3.30pm in a heavy hail storm.”
He continued, “As I got to the brow of the hill before the Old Down Inn, I clearly saw a large black cat run from the field on my right straight through the hedge, across the road and into the opposite field.”
He was certain of what he witnessed, saying, “It all happened so quick but I was 100 per cent sure what I’d seen.”
Despite trying to confirm his sighting with technology, the weather hindered their efforts: “We did check the front camera on the lorry but because of the weather we couldn’t quite pick it out as I may have been just too far back.”
His colleagues were initially sceptical: “I think my colleagues thought I was having a laugh but having seen this article about Mrs Bond’s sighting pointed out to me, I’m pretty sure they knew I’d seen it.”
This incident occurred on February 15th, coinciding with Mrs Bond’s own encounter.
He added, “It all happened so quick but I was 100 per cent sure what I’d seen.”
The attempt to capture evidence was unsuccessful due to the conditions: “We did check the front camera on the lorry but because of the weather we couldn’t quite pick it out as I may have been just too far back.”
However, after sharing information about another local’s experience, he felt vindicated: “I think my colleagues thought I was having a laugh but having seen this article about Mrs Bond’s sighting pointed out to me, I’m pretty sure they knew I’d seen it.”
In Timsbury, Sarah Kamette from St Johns Road also reported seeing an animal that matched the description around the same time. She was up late, unable to sleep, and decided to make herself a drink.
However, upon returning to her room, she spotted a “very large animal” in her neighbour’s front garden. Despite not capturing a photo of the elusive creature, she is now on high alert for its reappearance.
Ms Kamette shared: “I was not sleeping well as was up having a cup of tea about 3am. My security light went off as I was going back to bed.”
“I looked out of my bedroom window to see a very large animal strolling into my neighbour’s front garden.”
“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, that looks like a jaguar’, as it had a very distinctive long S-shaped tail.”
“I kept on thinking I wonder what it was and I’ve just seen the report from Mrs Bond.”
“I will now keep a lookout and try and get some footage if I should be so lucky to see it again.”
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