Original headline: 'Big cat' blamed for sheep death
A puma or large feral cat is thought to have mauled a sheep in the Cavendish area in the past week.
The animal, which had been giving birth, was found by Cavendish farmer, Jock East, who said around 15 pounds (seven kilograms) of meat had been eaten from the sheep, and half the lamb, which had been part born.
Mr East said the meat was eaten from the sheep's neck and shoulder area.
"It's not the first time it's happened," Mr East said.
"I've lived here for 45 years and, while it doesn't happen on a regular basis, it does happen."
Mr East said pumas tended to kill their own meat and the sheep he found had been a fresh kill, with the body still warm.
"I'm surprised it ate so much from the neck," he said."The sheep had been trying to lamb and it ate the lamb back to the pelvis."
He said attacks in other years usually occurred towards the end of October or early November, so this kill was a bit early.
Macarthur policeman, Senior Constable David Rook, said he had seen the cat in the Cavendish area about 12 years ago, before he was stationed in Macarthur.
He and another policeman were conducting a search in the Cavendish area when he saw what he thought was a dog. He believes it was a golden puma with two cubs.
"It stopped and looked at us from about 50 metres away and then walked away," he said.
"I thought it was a dog Ñ it was a golden color Ñ but it was definitely a cat with a round head and pointed ears."
