(Original headline: Is big cat still on prowl?L )
Could a mysterious big cat still be on the prowl in Calderdale?
Last year, the Evening Courier reported five sightings of a mystery big cat – now three more recent sightings suggest the beast could have returned.
Lynne Goldfield, licensee of the Masons Arms, Bacup Road, Todmorden, spotted a lynx-like creature as she walked her dog at Bacup Road about three weeks ago.
She said: "It came between two houses and walked across the road. I stopped quickly because it was going to the area I was going to.
"It had a smallish head and high legs at the back. It was a lightish brown colour. I have definitely seen something and it definitely was not a normal house cat.
"It is fascinating to see something like that. A lot of people don't believe it but what have I got to get out of making it up?"
Former president of the Shibden Valley Society, David Horrocks-Taylor, also saw something resembling a big cat in Shibden around Christmas time.
He said: "I saw an animal up Simm Carr Lane. This looked like a cat. It was reclining like a cat and it was the size of a big dog.
"It followed me with its eyes. I went home to get my binoculars and camera. When I got back it had disappeared.
"It looked like a big cat to me but without documentary evidence I can't really say it was not my eyes or my imagination deceiving me."
Big cat expert Paul Westwood says he has seen the aftermath of a big cat attack next to the A681 towards Bacup, between Clough Foot and Todmorden, in January.
He said that a Todmorden man – who does not wish to be named – got in touch with him after hearing an unusual growl when walking along the road late one night. The man later matched the growl to the sound of a leopard snarl.
Mr Westwood went with him to the scene.
He said: "As I walked around I could see a pile of sheep wool scattered around. The man went white. He said it was exactly the same spot where there was a growl."
Mr Westwood, of Pontefract, reckons there are about 50 genuine cat sightings a year.
Police wildlife officer Roman Soltan said: "I can't say there is or there isn't anything out there. At this time it is inconclusive."
Last year a big cat was spotted in Cunnery Woods, off Shibden Hall Road, Hipperholme; Park Lane Road, Elland; Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd; Goitside, Booth, Thornton Village and Wyke
