Snatch the `Monster' on film and you could be in the money May 16 2005

By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IF THERE really is a Monster of Meltham we want to see it!

That's why we're offering a £500 prize for a photo of the mysterious black cat that people keep spotting ...

Eagle-eyed snappers could be in the money if they can just manage to capture it on camera.

Over the past few years there have been sightings of big cats in the countryside all over Huddersfield.

But picture proof has yet to emerge. If there is a huge feline on the loose, it's been very camera-shy.

Today's £500 offer has been prompted by two more sightings of big cats by Examiner readers.

Bob Armitage says he caught sight of a beast, believed to be a panther, as he dumped some rubbish at the Bent Ley Road tip at Meltham Mills.

Mr Armitage, 48, of Linthwaite, said he was taking some refuse to the dump on a Sunday morning in early March.

He added: "It was about 10.30am and it was quite busy.

"I was caught up in a queue of traffic and just turned around and saw it."

Mr Armitage, a senior traffic warden, looked across the road and said he saw the beast standing perfectly still on a small hill.

He added: "At first I thought it was a guard dog at the nearby scrap yard. I looked closer and saw it was a big cat.

"It was black, stocky and about 4ft long.

"That area is ideal for them, as there is a wood behind there for it to roam around in."

Mr Armitage said the creature melted away.

He added: "I looked again and it was gone.

"It must have been frightened off by all the noise and activity.

"I only told my wife and colleagues, because I thought no-one else would believe me.

"I've never seen it before or since, but I know what I saw."

News comes as hundreds of people prepare for the Examiner Challenge in Meltham on Sunday.

Participants in the walks, cycle rides, wheelchair and pushchair routes and horse route are urged to look out - although most of the sightings have been in the early hours, not broad daylight.

And the cat might have moved on from Meltham. Another Examiner reader, Sheila from Holmfirth, emailed to say she saw it in her garden.

"I saw this cat one night last week," she says: "I awoke about 3.30am and because the security lights had come on I went to the window.

"A very large, muscular black cat was walking down the garden path."

Last week, the Examiner reported sightings of a large cat in the Red Lane area of Meltham. Experts have said it is possible that a panther could survive in the area.

Examiner editor Roy Wright says: "The idea of a panther on the prowl might seem silly, but all these sightings suggest there just might be something out there.

"Our team of professional photographers are out and about every day of the week, but they can't be everywhere at once.

"That's why we want Examiner readers to keep their eyes peeled and their cameras handy."

To dissuade tricksters, we'll pay up only after a photo has been verified by an independent big cat expert and a photography expert - so no Photoshop spoofs!

And we also need to be sure that the picture was actually taken in our area.

Roy says: "I know it's not likely that someone will spot the panther in front of a landmark like Meltham Church, but the positioning of a wall or a field should be enough for us to be satisfied that your photo is genuine.

"If we just can't decide, we may even let our readers decide whether they think it is real, with a public vote."

Roy added: "There are two very important rules to remember. One, if you see it, don't approach it or try to hurt it. And two, don't put yourself in danger. Your safety must come first."

o

New sightings of mystery beast May 20 2005




By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner


A BIG cat has been sighted again - in New Mill.

Two parents taking children to Kirkroyds Infants School spotted the beast lurking in a field yards from the school and both are adamant that it was neither a large cat nor a dog.

News of the sightings come only days after fears that a large cat - possibly a black panther - had been seen prowling in fields near Meltham.

Previous sightings have been in Birchencliffe and in Hade Edge.

And, of course, it follows an offer of £500 from the Examiner for photographs of the mystery beast.

Yesterday's sightings were reported to police by Christine Wood, head teacher at Kirkroyds Infants School.

She said: "Both parents came to see me independently and were genuinely concerned they had seen something.

"Both said they had spotted it in the field off Kirkroyds Lane, as they walked their children to the school.

"They said it was very dark and certainly larger than either a cat or a dog."

The field is bordered by hedges and shrubs, but is close to the main road.

Police confirmed the sightings had been reported.

Mrs Wood said: "I went out to have a look around but I'm sorry to say I saw nothing. But both parents were convinced there was something there."

Our offer of £500 for photographs of the beast still stands, but to dissuade tricksters we'll pay up only after a photo has been verified by an independent big cat expert and a photography expert - so no Photoshop spoofs!

We also need to be sure that the picture was taken in our area. The positioning of a wall or a field should be enough for us to be satisfied that a photo is genuine.

But Examiner editor Roy Wright said: "There are two very important rules to remember. One, if you see it, don't approach it or try to hurt it. And two, don't put yourself in danger - your safety must come first."

If you have a picture of the beast, or have seen it, ring our newsdesk on 01484 437712.

Didnt somebody already snap a picture of this "creature"

How much is that in American?

I live in Huddersfield, about 20 minutes away from Meltham but I haven't heard about a Big Cat before...



Roughly about $1000... Your money is basically roughly double ours.

There was an article in my local paper the other day, it was on the front page and the title was something like 'The Beast is Back'.


They found another footprint of one and a guy saw it apparently. I wonder just how common these panthers/big cats/big dogs are?