Published: Thursday, 21st January, 2010 7:05am
'We hit a puma on the way home from supermarket'
by Matt Meade
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Yvette points to some of the damage the couple say was caused by colliding with a puma.
A COMRIE couple claim they hit a PUMA while driving home from Morrisons supermarket.
Martyn and Yvette Lovelock, of Dean Acres, were shocked when an animal bolted across the A907 Alloa to Blairhall road, near Devilla Forest, last month.
And, crucially, they say hair from the animal left on their Volkswagen Polo after impact will confirm their big cat claims.
There have been increased sightings in the West Fife area near the forest, so much so that next month representatives from Big Cats in Britain (BCIB) will set up camp in the forest in hope of capturing evidence of a big cat.
Passenger Yvette (45) said, "It was pitch black and no-one else was on the road.
"All of a sudden this thing came out from the left side of the road - my adrenaline was running because I knew it was a big cat.
"It was a light mink, sandy-coloured cat.
"It ran that fast in front of us my husband thought it was a deer at first but I had a better look at it and could see a tail.
"Deers bound - this thing was running flat along the ground."
The incident happened at around 5.15pm on 30th December.
They estimate they hit the beast at around 50mph on the road at the Bath Moor Plantation and damage to their car included a smashed front grill, a dislodged light and a dent in the wing.
The couple turned their car around to drive back to the spot where the impact happened but saw no trace of any injured animal.
Husband Martyn (48), who works for an offshore company, said he thought initially it was a deer after being involved in a previous near miss with one in the summer.
He said, "Considering the speed we hit it at I was surprised there wasn't more damage.
"I was some way down the road before I realised what happened and what it probably was."
The Lovelocks hope the hairs left on the side of the car will confirm the species through a DNA test.
Bob Wallace, of BCIB, said the hairs would be sent away for testing.
And he added, "I can't confirm anything yet but hair from deers snap when you bend them, these ones don't."
If you have any information regarding sightings in the area contact Bob Wallace on 07936 719909 or wallace_robert@yahoo.co.uk.
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anon
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Jan 22 10 14:59
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meow
NEILY-J
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Jan 22 10 15:08
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all these sightings yet no convincing evidence like i dunno.... a photograph or video or an actual dead big cat, are you sure you didnt just hit a fox!?!?! i think all this reading of big cat stoies in the press has gone to your head! i ran over a baby cheetah the other day.... or maybe it was just a rabbit
chic
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Jan 22 10 18:35
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i feel i have to comment after reading the moron above critisising the people for having the courage to speak to the press about there encounter i also saw a big cat but did not mention it for fear of ridicule by people who dont know there left foot from there right.
Guest
Jan 23 10 19:49
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I agree with Chic completely. I hope that the findings will be made public and that it won't be kept under wraps "in the interest of public safety".
Martin
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Jan 25 10 08:52
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I wonder if they were tested for drink driving... a puma? really? I hit a ufo driving home the other day... better go tell the press.
IF you saw a big cat... there would be prints. They don't walk on air.
NEILY-J
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Jan 25 10 13:26
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I SAW TWO BIG CATS AT THE WEEKEND!!! i was at Bristol zoo though does that still count? i have photographic evidence to proove it!!
NEILY-J
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Jan 26 10 13:00
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PS. chic i think it was all in your head
braveheart
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Jan 29 10 10:30
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NEILY-J.
For some weeks now, I have been reading the various posts that you have done.
you seem to be very efficient at the old(extraction of urine) from people whom you obviously think are less educated individuals than yourself.
these animals do exist in Scotland, Know for a fact, because i actually took a photo of such an animal at Faslane, which is featured in the Scotsman news paper. My estimation being a dog handler isthe animal was over 6ft from head to tail if you look at the picture the tracks on the rail are set at 4ft6.
on another note the hair samples taken when the couple hit the (lynx) have been confirmed and its not a lynx it is in actual fact a Cougar.
SHOULD YOU FEEL YOU HAVE ANY INTELEGENT COMMENTS PLEASE POST THEM, EITHER THAT GET OFF YOUR BACKSIDE AND DO SOME WORK, IE:- GET A JOB
NEILY-J
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Jan 29 10 12:58
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I have a job, I am at work just now
NEILY-J
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Jan 29 10 14:12
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PS Glad you like my comments
lewis
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Jan 29 10 17:13
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cats cats gloriouse cats lovely lovely lovely and neily im at work as well by the way i hit my cat cause it ate the spag ball
NEILY-J
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Feb 1 10 12:21
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thats the spirt lewis, i like your style
westy
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Feb 8 10 03:56
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Neily & Lewis - Get a life and lay off the people who believe in these cats existing.
NEILY-J
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Feb 8 10 10:38
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OK westy, only coz u said so though, its not often i get told of by Pars legends, what are you doing with yourself now that your not goal keeping anymore??
Bob Wallace
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Feb 11 10 19:44
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reply to ref:8248 Braveheart,
where did the Lynx come into this story. No one has mentioned Lynx but you, and just to put the record streight, the hair samples HAVE NOT been confirmed as Cougar. I know that for definite mate, I am the one who sent them off for DNA testing, and am still awaiting the results, I don't know where you got your information from, but it is incorrect. You need to check out the facts first, before posting statements like this.
I agree with what you are saying regarding the two clowns who obviously feel they are more experienced and qualified in this subject than the rest of us and are justified in their comments.
They are entitled to their opnions I suppose, as we all are.
Bob Wallace
NEILY-J
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Feb 12 10 08:46
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HAHAHA, you have been put in your place there braveheart havent you,so eveything you said is lies just as i though, you are so pathetic making up stories like that. 'SHOULD YOU FEEL YOU HAVE ANY INTELEGENT COMMENTS PLEASE POST THEM, EITHER THAT GET OFF YOUR BACKSIDE AND DO SOME WORK, IE:- GET A JOB AND STOP MAKING UP LIES HAHA
Bob Wallace
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Feb 13 10 08:17
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Not everything he said is lies, he did in fact film a cat on his mobile over at Faslane, the B.C.I.B. have the footage.
Like I said, you are entitled to your opinions, as we all are, it's just a pity your's show how ignorant and childish you are. Grow up.
Bob Wallace
NEILY-J
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Feb 13 10 17:53
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OK Bob, keep up the good work
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