Brentwood: Search for mystery big cat after country park sighting (From Gazette)

Brentwood: Search for mystery big cat after country park sighting

9:23am Wednesday 25th October 2006 in Beast of Essex By Tom Parkes

Police were today hunting a "puma-sized" cat.

Officers revealed several members of the public had independently reported seeing the creature in Weald Country Park, Brentwood, and there were reports of a deer having been killed.

Scores of residents in north and mid-Essex have for years told of encounters with the so-called Beast of Essex, typically described as a panther-like animal.

This is believed to be the first time police have issued an official appeal for information.