Wednesday, June 27, 2001

Big cat prowling at PTC ponds? 'This was no housecat,' says resident. 'It's about the size of a medium-sized black lab...' By JOHN MUNFORD jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com Typically, the cart path system in Peachtree City offers tame wildlife such as squirrels, birds and other creatures as it winds through deeply wooded areas. But Saturday, a potentially more harmful creature reared its head on the cart path adjacent to Terrance Tay near the Three Ponds area, according to a local resident. Don Campbell and his 10-year-old son were returning from a fishing trip at the ponds when Campbell spotted a large cat lurking between two homes off Terrance Tay. Campbell estimated it was three and a half feet long and two and a half feet tall. "This was no housecat," said Campbell, who once lived in Colorado and saw bobcats there. "It's about the size of a medium-sized black lab not a puppy and not a fully-grown one." The animal's smooth tan coat makes it seem that it's not a bobcat, he added. "This thing has made a home nearby and found a lair," Campbell said. "This is scary. ... I know I won't let my child walk alone to the ponds." Campbell has been in touch with the state Department of Natural Resources to alert them of the sighting. A phone call to the police emergency line when the wildcat was found "would've been a joke," Campbell said, noting that the department probably couldn't have been of assistance anyway. "They probably had nobody they could call either," he said. Campbell was upset that he didn't have either his digital video or still camera with him so the animal could be identified. He's even more upset that he didn't notice the animal's tail, which would provide a solid clue as to what it is. He did, however, speak to a neighbor in the area who confirmed seeing the cat about three weeks ago. A zoo curator Campbell spoke with said the animal "could be someone's pet." "It was not afraid of humans, so it has either been domesticated or it has been around so long it has become accustomed to humans," Campbell said.   What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page