Cops called to reports of big cat on the prowl in Bury
Caller told police the creature was 'definitely not a dog and definitely not a cat'
A BLACK panther has been sighted chasing deer through the suburbs of Manchester.
A panicked caller contacted the Greater Manchester Police Radcliffe yesterday, saying they had seen the black panther running and hunting in the farmers' fields off of Bury New Road on Wednesday afternoon.
GMP Sargeant John Foxcroft told The Sun Online that the caller, who lived in the area, was adamant that the creature was a large black panther.
The caller insisted that the creature he had seen was "definitely not a dog and definitely not a cat".
He said: "He said he saw a large black panther and he saw it running across the fields."
Sgt Foxcroft said police had found it difficult to verify the report as there was no footage or other evidence of the black panther in the area.
He said: "We had a look around but couldn't find anything."
He said there were no local zoos where the animal could have potentially come from.
The search for the sighted cat has now been suspended with no other reports .
Radcliffe police shared the report on Twitter, saying: "Bury New Rd Radcliffe. Report of what was described as a "black panther "chasing deer on a field. Police attended but didn't locate it."
It is understood that the caller had also reported the loose animal to RSPCA, who advised them to contact police.
Police later warned locals to check their doors and windows before going to bed.
In a tweet, GMP Radcliffe wrote: "Remember to check your doors and windows before you go to bed. We wouldn't like you to be a victim of burglars or black panthers. #security"
Black panthers in Asia and Africa are leopards with black coats while those in the Americas are black jaguars.
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