PEOPLE walking their dog say they encountered a “jet black panther” in a field near Brickfield Pond in Rhyl.
The encounter took place at around 7pm on Monday, August 29.
Although the creature, whatever it was, ran away its presence has put one witness off returning to the location.
He said: “We were walking our dog through an overgrown country footpath between Ysgol Tir Morfa and Brickfield Pond in Rhyl (circled in the photo, where we walked down), when I noticed a large animal in the distance coming towards us."
The witness reported the sighting to Puma Watch North Wales, a group set up to document such sightings in the region.
The report adds: “I stopped to put my dog back on her lead as I assumed it was another person walking their dog, but I saw no owner and the figure went completely still when it noticed us.
“When it turned to its side that’s when I knew it wasn’t a dog, it was jet black with pointed ears and moved very feline-like with a long cat-like tail.
“It bolted off into the field at the end of the path and we didn’t see it again, nor did we see anyone in the field.
“Seeing that with my own eyes…I won’t be walking down there again.”
Images: Google StreetView/Puma Watch North Wales
The sighting has been added to Puma Watch North Wales' interactive map.
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Puma Watch founder, Tony Jones said: "It’s not the first time an animal matching the same description has been spotted in Rhyl.
"Last year, a couple walking on the beach spotted 'a very large black panther' on the adjacent golf course. And just a few months ago back in April, a 'black panther' was spotted hunting for rabbits and birds on Prestatyn beach. Sightings or related incidents have also occurred near Pontins, Dyserth and Meliden.
"On the other side of Rhyl, sightings have recently been reported in Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Llanddulas."
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