Police report sighting of big cat in Co Antrim

A large cat-like creature has reportedly been seen by two Police Service of Northern Ireland Officers in a field in Co Antrim…

A large cat-like creature has reportedly been seen by two Police Service of Northern Ireland Officers in a field in Co Antrim.

The sighting is the latest in up to 20 such reports of an apparent "exotic big cat" loose along the north coast of Northern Ireland.

The animal was spotted close to Ballymoney on the Benvardin Road earlier today.

In a field near the sighting was a dead sheep which was appeared to have been recently killed by the animal.

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The animal which is sandy coloured and the size of a Puma or Panther is also thought to be responsible for the deaths of a sheep and a ram which were killed in the area recently.

Police say the animal is unlikely to be dangerous as it was probably raised in captivity and would not be used to killing.