A TEENAGER who believes she had a close encounter with a big cat in north Oxford is appealing for anyone else who might have seen the creature to get in touch.
Niamh Gara came face-to-face with the animal outside the Victoria Arms pub in Marston on Wednesday night.
The 13-year-old from Ambrosden near Bicester had just finished a rehearsal with her samba band - Sol Samba - in Marston and the group were having a drink at the pub when she and another member decided to go out and enjoy the stars.
She said: "I saw this black shadow, then there was a hiss and lots of rustling, then this thing started coming at me and my friend.
"We started screaming than it ran off in the other direction.
"It was about waist-height from what I could see - way too big to be a badger.
"We immediately said it looked and sounded like a cat."
The pub, situated half a mile from the nearest houses, is surrounded by fields and woods - ideal territory, perhaps, for a big cat to hide in.
Niamh's close encounter is the latest in a long line of supposed big cat sightings in Oxfordshire: in August, West Oxfordshire dog walker Fraser Downer thought he spotted a panther-like creature on Stonesfield Common near Charlbury.
Oxford resident Steve Archibald, who runs the website bigcatsightings.com, believes there are definitely breeding populations of big cats in the UK, if not in Oxfordshire.
This picture, which hangs on the wall at the Masons Arms pub in Brize Norton, shows the oft-sighted "beast of Burford" supposedly creeping through a nearby field.
Theories behind how wild populations get established often include escapes from sanctuaries or intentional releases by exotic animal owners.
In the past five years, Thames Valley Police has been called to a total of 10 big cat sightings in Oxfordshire.
Callers generally report seeing a large black cat, like a panther or a puma, with locations ranging from Aston Rowant nature reserve near Thame to a neighbour’s garden somewhere in south Oxfordshire.
In terms of the police response to the calls, the force lists four cases of “no further police action”, four cases of “enquiry completed”, one case of “advice given” and in one instance they just said: “all in order”.
If you think you may have seen the same creature as Niamh, call reporter Pete Hughes on 01865 425431 or email pete.hughes@oxfordmail.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel