Politics, environment, farming and more in your new free Western Morning News newsletter - direct to your inbox every day Sign up Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Cats and bird have gone missing as people are fearing for the safety of their animals after reports of a black panther or puma stalking a village in Cornwall.

Several pet cats have been reported as having disappeared in recent weeks and one local said some of their "larger poultry" was taken from an enclosure.

The concerns and incidents have come to light after residents of Harrowbarrow, near Callington, raised the alarm when a big cat was seen and said to have attacked a pet dog in its own garden.

As reported, James Stephenson even had a frightening face-to-face encounter with the beast, which he believes is a puma, two days after it left his Labrador Marley with gash wounds and claw marks. Police have confirmed that they attended the scene, took plaster casts of paw prints measuring almost five inches and sent them to experts who confirmed them to be from the pad of a large cat.

Mr Stephenson, 23, who lives with his parents said their two dogs - the other one being collie puppy Maisy - have been terrified of going into the garden they adore since the attack on Marley on Thursday night of last week (March 28). On Saturday he said he ended up staring into the eyes of the animal, which, despite his attempts to scare it off, came towards him before he escaped indoors.

(Image: James Stephenson)

It has been said that four or five pet cats have recently gone missing locally and others in the village have been reporting their concerns.

After neighbour Karen Riddle posted about the sightings by two of her neighbours on Facebook - including the Stephensons - many people commented. Karen later commented that her own dog was "going nuts right now".

Karen posted: "Paw prints 4 1/2 inches wide close to our houses. Casts by police / forensics taken and checked with the zoo. It appears the large cat which has been seen twice over past few evenings is a PANTHER. Watch out for dogs going out at night. A neighbour's Labrador was knocked off its feet by the animal and damaged his paws. Police have been out to the neighbour three times already."

Claire Birch said it was not the first time and named three people who had seen the black beast, one near a local woodland.

Chloe Read wrote: "Something had some of our larger poultry, enclosed in Harris fencing... and it was big enough that mum and dad wouldn’t go down the field. It made a horrific noise. And before anyone said it may of been a fox etc, we defo know it wasn’t."

(Image: James Stephenson)

Others warned each other to be careful when walking their dogs and to keep their pets indoors.

James' girlfriend Emily Small wrote: "It’s my boyfriends mums house. Whatever it is, has been back every night since. I was also there and seen the state of the poor dog when he got knocked over. We were told we are lucky it was not still hungry.

"We’re very grateful our poor lab got away with the small injuries he did and the puppy she would have been just a snack. If anyone is in this area I would advise to keep all dogs on leads, light up your gardens at night and keep a VERY close watchful eye."

Linda Coles: "My goodness. Would be nice to see. But a bit close for comfort."

Vicky Earl: "It's true, it's my parents house and they're all really worried. Just be aware."

There is also talk of setting up wildlife cameras to catch the animal on video. James said that the police had told him that some video evidence or more sightings were needed if the investigation was going to be taken any further.

(Image: James Stephenson)

James also said that a local farmer has found a pile of wood chippings and logs and other items which indicates the site where the animal has set up a nest or den in an area of undisturbed woodland.

A police spokesperson said: "Police have received a single report of a big cat sighting in the Callington area.

"We were called on the morning of Friday 29 March by a resident of a property in near Harrowbarrow who claimed that panther had been in their garden and attacked their dog the night prior, and later seen with another animal in its mouth.

"An officer attended the property and located the footprints in the garden. We called the RSPCA for advice and took a cast of the print which they confirmed was the pad of a large cat.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"Over the years, there have been a number of similar reports across Devon and Cornwall. There is no evidence that such animals represent a danger to humans. It is highly likely that they would avoid human contact and only represent a danger if trapped. If any animal is sighted it should not be approached."

An RSPCA spokesman said: "The RSPCA has been contacted about a suspected big cat sighting in Harrowbarrow, Cornwall, last week.

"Our officer attended after reports that a labrador had been scratched by a large, black cat. Thankfully, the dog is fine although he has scratch marks, and the owner is taking precautions to keep an eye on the dog in case of further sightings.

"We will continue to monitor the situation."

A puma is black while what people refer to is a panther is actually a leopard which is melanistici, meaning it can change its colour to blend in with the dark.

The police added: "In an emergency always call 999, but sightings should be reported to police on 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk ."