Britain’s Feral Big Cat Populations - Are These Really Previously Unknown Indigenous Prehistoric Beast’s.

And could the sightings of big, black cats have some connection to reports of "evil" black dogs that have been reported all over Britain for centuries, some of which are supposed to be an omen of death for the person who sees one? Such black dogs have been given names, such as Padfoot, Moddhey Dhoo or Black Shuck.

By Bob & Lyn Engledow.

There are two fields of thought on the origin’s of Britain’s feral big cat populations - both of which might yet prove to be correct - We at Operation Big Cat believe that Britain’s feral big cats are escapee’s or releasees from private animal collections. We believe that these animals either escaped, or were released. During the 3-4 years leading up to the introduction of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and that they are now breeding in our countryside. Our evidence is based upon descriptions of credible witnesses - many of whom were trained in observation techniques during their professional lives - and other people who simply know the difference between a big cat and other species of animal.

An increasing number of people would have us believe that our big cats are a hitherto unknown indigenous British species. According to these people our big cats have lived here, unobserved, for hundred’s of years. They add that it is only because our own populations have increased and we have moved further into the countryside that we have become aware of these animals. Much of the evidence for this field of thought seems to have been taken from legend and tales of myth. They have linked tales of ghostly black dogs of legend to the big black cats of today. Could these people be right?

Mythical tales of ghostly black dogs are found in many eastern regions of England and extend from Kent to Yorkshire. Norfolk too has such a tale to tell. We call our ghostly creature Black Shuck or Old Shuck. The tales told about these dogs very little in content....and we offer you the following example from the legend of Black Shuck.

....The year is 1856 and our tale unfolds in a small village in Norfolk......A farm labourer and his wife are returning home from a friends house at around 10pm one summers night. It is getting dark and the moon is coming up but there is still enough light to see the surrounding countryside as well. As the couple proceed hand in hand towards their home they hear a dog running up behind them. They stop and turn but they can see nothing. The sounds of running paws have stopped. After a moment the couple continue on their way. They have almost reached the lane leading to their small cottage when they hear the dog running towards them again. This time the sounds of running paws is faster and they can now hear the sound of the animals heavy breathing close to their heel’s. Frightened now....they run for the gate of their home. As they reach the gate the man flings it open. He hurls his wife inside behind him and slams the gate shut. He has formed a safety barrier between themselves and the unseen dog. They feel safe now. Looking over the gate cautiously the man looks for the dog but see’s nothing. The sound of running and heavy breathing have ceased. The man is about to tell his wife that the danger is over when the most hideous scream pierces the night air. The mans wife screams also and points towards the top of the gate. Swinging around the man finds himself face-to-face with the biggest dog he had ever cast eyes on. The animals eyes were burning bright green in the darkness. The dog then turned slowly and vanished. Although it could no longer be seen its paws could be heard padding away into the night.

George Ewart Evans in his book, ‘Where Beards Wag All’ says that Old Shuck was first recorded when leaving the Church of St. Mary of Bungay in Norfolk in August 1557......”All down the church in a midst of fire. The hellish monster flew; and passing on towards the quire he many people slew.”

Old Shuck was originally called the ‘Black Dog of Bungay.’ Eric Maples definitive work ‘Supernatural England’ adds that Shuck often put in appearances at East Dereham and Sheringham in Norfolk. According to folklore Shuck visits different churches at midnight. (I lived and worked in the Cromer-Sheringham area for a number of years and have heard more than my fair share of tales of this ghostly dog. Today he is though to wander the cliff-tops along the Norfolk coast visiting churches during the midnight hour.......and often it is he drags a heavy chain in his wake. Old Shuck remains alive today in North Norfolk as he did in the 1500’s.)

In August 1988 Operation Big Cat discussed the Black Shuck\ Black cat theory with one of its most illustrious advocates. The lady in question put forward a strong case through what was obviously well researched and competent argument. She pointed out that in many of the recorded cases of mythical black dog tales the actions described by the dogs corresponded not to canine but feline behaviour. The above story of Black Shuck is an example of this. Dogs do not climb on gates as Old Shuck is said to have done........but big cats do!.........the lady quoted several such tales to us.

Then there was the colour of Old Shuck’s eye’s as told in this myth. They were said to be green. This is the colour of big cats eye shine at night.

There was more to come from the lady as we spoke. She said that her indigenous British big cat was thought to live in packs or communities. Some of the local farmers in the Bodmin Moor region of Cornwall seem to agree with this. It has been stated that at least 17 big cats can be found in the 10 square mile area of Bodmin Moor region. Paul Tyler, MP for North Cornwall, is himself is on record for having said that a whole population of big cats can be found on Bodmin Moor. Either our lady has convinced these people of her theory or there are indeed large numbers of cats to be found in very small area’s.

We were further informed that the indigenous big cat male is the rotweiller dog-sized cat that so many people have reported to the police and RSPCA. This is a very strong and muscular animal and is black in colour. It is said to be very ugly to look upon. The female of this British indigenous cat on the other hand is lighter in colour, of Alsatian or Labrador dog-size and attractive. The female we are told is the animal being confused with feral pumas. The lady also told us about a third species of indigenous cat which she has called the Rabbit-headed cat.......which we shall look upon in more detail at the moment.

We asked this woman wether she thought that puma, panther and lynx also bred and roamed over the British countryside. Her reply was an empathetic NO.....

According to her theory the only big cats found in this country today are her own that have come to us through the mists of time and avoided discovery until comparatively recently. At this point we mutually brought our conversation to a close. There was too great a gulf between our theories and... from her position at least.....there was no middle ground in which to meet.

Operation Big Cat does not discount the possibility of unknown and exotic cats roaming the British countryside. We are open-minded about this theory. However, we also believe that puma, panther, lynx, Asian jungle cats.......and possible other species are roaming and breeding here. More research needs to be carried out in to all possibilities surrounding the species\ origins of big cats in this country. We would urge all parties involved in this research however to remain open-minded and to base what evidence they have.........when possible.......on facts.


scottishbigcats.co.uk

Sounds like they are taking the black dog myth too seriously. It's a superstition. The idea of a species of native "panther" is also unrealistic.