SIGHTINGS of a mysterious big cat dubbed the 'Warwickshire Wild Cat' have emerged.

The animal, described as a large feline creature with leopard makings, was first spotted off Nightingale Close in Great Alne at 8.20am on Saturday, October 8.

The creature, which is thought to be larger than a fox, was reported by a resident to Alcester Police South Safer Neighbourhood Team.

A further resident, Colin Wilks, aged 60, of School Road, Alcester, says he may have heard the creature whilst walking his dogs on Gunnings Bridge, Henley Street, at about 6am on Monday, October 10. 

He said: "It was growling. It didn't sound like a fox. It was scary. I just carried on, I wouldn't go down to see what it was.

"But it growled a couple of times. I started thinking afterwards, what could it be? 

"It was a large animal. It definitely wasn't a cat and it couldn't be a fox.
"The fields around there are overgrown so it could be living out there hidden in the bushes," he added. 

But Great Alne resident, Alison Walters, who owns two Pedigree tabby cats with leopard-like markings, believes it was one of her cats that the member of the public spotted in the field.

Her property also backs on to the same field as the one behind Nightingale Close where the sighting was reported.

She said: "I suspect it was one of my cats that the member of the public spotted in the field, they are however the same size as normal domestic tabby cats with the same temperament."

Researcher Rick Minter, author of 'Big Cats: Facing Britain's Wild Predators', said it was very rare but not impossible to see big cats with leopard markings. 

"That is very unusual," he said. 

"In the 90s there were several reports of the animals in Redditch, it is interesting the issue has come around again. 

"They are very elusive. These animals have gone feral, they can survive in the countryside. They have the equipment to survive: we have an abundance of deer in this county, they will also feed on rabbits as a snack and sheep as a second option. 

He added that the length of the animals tail in proportion to the animal is very large and this is usually how to tell from sightings if it is a big cat rather than a dog or another animal. 

Do you think a big cat could be on the loose in the Alcester area?

Contact Liz Sharpe at the Redditch Advertiser on 01384 358289. Pictures or video clips can be emailed to liz.sharpe@midlands.newsquest.co.uk.