Big cat Britain: the sightings

A roaming "lion" which understandably caused an extensive police operation after allegedly being spotted in a field in Essex is now believed to be a pet cat. Suspects included a ginger cat called Tom and a Maine Coon called Teddy Bear. the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 made it illegal to keep untamed pets. Many owners of exotic cats such as pumas or lynx simply freed their animals into the countryside. Here is a round up sightings: