Big cat spotted near dead deer in Moscow

May 13 2011 by David Wynn, Kilmarnock Standard

A DRIVER claims this stricken deer was savaged by a big cat.

Brian Menzies of Moscow said he was travelling home from work when he noticed a ‘large, black creature with glowing eyes’ by the side of the road.

He was then amazed to see that the beast had been chewing on a roe deer.

Brian, who works at Prestwick Airport, said: “I was coming home via the back road from New Farm Loch at just after midnight on Monday when I noticed something bright in the line of my headlights. As I got closer I realised it was a large, black cat and it was beside a roe deer.

“After I passed I went back to take a look and by this time the cat had gone but the injuries to the rear of the deer were clearly visible.

“What I couldn’t work out was how the deer had died. It didn’t look as though a car had hit it as the only injury was to the rear area where the big cat had been.

“I’m not one to usually believe in these things but I saw it with my own eyes and would be intrigued to know if anyone else saw anything at that time. It’s not a busy road but it is well used. I just wish I had my camera with me at the time.”

There have been several big cat sightings in Ayrshire over the years. The most recent one recorded was of a puma-like cat spotted near Midland Farm in Fenwick last summer.

Indeed, the area is such a hotspot that the annual big cat convention was held earlier this year at the Hunting Lodge in Kilmarnock.

The conference weekend include a vigil near Galston, where several big cats have been spotted.

Have you seen a big cat in the Ayrshire countryside? Get in touch by phone, e-mail or letter.

http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/ayrshire-news/news-east-ayrshire/kilmarnock-news/2011/05/13/big-cat-spotted-near-dead-deer-in-moscow-81430-28673851/