Almost 4 years after a black panther was allegedly spotted in the New Carlisle area, residents have reported a large cat sighting. The animal has been described as a massive, tiger-like cat.
In October 2011, several reports of a black panther in New Carlisle were called into the Clark County Sheriff’s office. An animal expert said that tracks, markings on a tree, and animal dung found in the area were consistent with those of large cats such as panthers or leopards. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, perhaps in an effort to quell local panic, suggested that the animal was a dog, not a panther.
There may have been a panther like this one loose in New Carlisle back in 2011. Photo: JOSEPH VAN OS/GETTY – FILE PHOTO via nydailynews.com
This time it is a tiger that local residents have reported seeing just north of town. The Sheriff’s office was flooded with calls late Sunday night from people describing a large orange cat with black stripes. One person said the animal’s back stood about 3 to 4 feet off the ground, and that at one point the animal raised up on its hind legs and was as tall as an adult human. Another caller estimated the cat’s weight at 250 lbs.
Multiple calls stated that the tiger was behaving aggressively by growling and staring menacingly.
Citizens are advised to refrain from grilling or leaving unattended food outside until the threat is resolved. It is also recommended that children remain inside as much as possible so as not to tempt the animal, who might mistake kids for food. If you see the animal, you should get inside as quickly as possible and phone the authorities.
As the situation progresses, M&L will update this post.
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UPDATE – Monday 6/1/15 3:14 pm
The animal in question has been identified. It is not a tiger as initially suspected, but an adult Cincinnati Bengals fan wearing a tiger costume and Bengals shirt. The man will not face any charges for disturbing the peace related to his growling and menacing appearance.
M&L obtained a photo, taken last year, of the “tiger.”
This is the “tiger” that citizens reported to local authorities. – Photo via jleighkrupp at instructables.com
People are dumb! First of all tigers don’t were tshirts kind of a dead give it away that it ain’t a real tiger people!!! Have you people never been to a zoo or watched the natural channel!!!! That thing don’t even look like a real tiger unless you might be looking at it from a MILE away! I’ll bet the cops got a good laugh at the IDIOT who thought that was a real lif tiger! There ain’t even a zoo in new Carlisle that I know of! Where do you people think it came from? This ain’t africa or Europe people we don’t have tigers walking around in america!!! and that’s what makes us great!