Is it a big cat... or a big hoax?
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Another unusual sight in Linslade has reignited the controversial debate that a big cat is still roaming the area.
The remains of a deer were found up a tree on a horizontal branch that was about four feet from the ground beside the ‘old railway track’ south of the canal bridge across to Linslade.
The deer skeleton was originally discovered by Jessica Mark, 31, of North Street, Leighton, who said: “My partner and myself were out for a walk along the pathway when he noticed a strange smell so we backtracked a few steps, followed our noses, and there it was, the back half of a deer in a tree.”
Jessica alerted her father, Andrew Mark, 57, of Grove Road, Leighton, to what she had seen, who said: “I went to have a look and take some pictures later in the afternoon and it certainly looks to me like the pelvis and rear legs of a deer.
“There was a strong smell of the animal in close proximity, suggesting it may not have been there for very long, but no evidence was found of the rest of the animal in the surrounding area.
“I started leaning on the branch to see if it was able to take a good amount of weight, but it would not be a branch to lean on as it is only three inches thick.
It is not obvious to passersby so they were lucky to have smelt it and seen where it was.”
Residents in Reach Lane, Heath and Reach, reported seeing a cougar in the countryside behind their homes over the Christmas period but there have also been sightings in the Stockgrove area in February of this year, including another deer skeleton up a tree.
Andrew added: “This is obviously similar to the reported sighting in February at Stockgrove. Maybe someone is deliberately setting up hoax/spoofs? Or maybe it was a big cat?
“It almost looks too perfect like it could have been arranged rather than what an animal has left there. It makes you think it could be a hoax.
“If someone did set it up then they went to a lot of effort. I am inclined to think that someone is doing it, can’t be certain, but it looks too perfectly placed to be true.”
> Have you seen anything unusual? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
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