That's no dog it's a...
Some years ago when me and my mate were about 15 we had got hold of some ciggies, and some fireworks in the form of bangers.

We made our way down to a railway crossing (I know what you're thinking; stupid twunts playing on the railway track, but it was actually a set of steps leading to the track that was to be our hang out for the evening).

We sat on the steps smoking, throwing the occasional banger into the undergrowth or putting a banger into an empty can.

It got to about 9pm and we'd run out of bangers and it was getting rather cold (being November and all) so we crossed the tracks carefully and started to climb the 1st couple of steps on the other side when we saw something moving towards us...

It was big, black and moved silently despite the fact it was walking on the loose stones they always have on railways.
A dog we said to ourselves and stood and watched as it came closer, but still it made no sound...
At this point in the low light we were getting quite spooked at how such a large dog could move so silently along loose stones so we decide to shed some light on the situation.

We had 2 lighters which we'd both adjusted so the flames were about 3 inches high when lit (mind your eyebrows) and we figured that animals have a fear of fire so this was a good idea all round - we'd get to see what it was then it would run away...

So we both ignite our lighters and it's suddenly very clear that the big black dog approching us is NOT a dog... It's face was perfectly feline and it's tail suddenly swooshed in a way no dog can.

My mate: "That's no dog! It's a..."
Me: "A bloody big cat!"
My mate: "We should run!"
Me: "A panther"
Me: "Thought they were scared of fire?"
Me, realising my mate has legged it I say one word to the panther: "Stay"

As far as I know the panther did stay, at least for long enough for me to make my escape. We got back to my parents house and locked the door firmly behind us.

Some people believed us, others laughed it off. Then 2 months later there were more sightings including one that was in the local rag - the vicars daughter that lived in the house opposite had seen the panther walking down the street, her and a couple of friends.

If I ever go over that railway crossing I still get the creeps now, more than 10 years later

What did I learn? Panthers are not afraid of lighters...
(Bad_Dogg, Fri 4 Jul 2008, 11:14, 3 replies)

...
STAY!!

Ha ha that made me giggle. I must admit in a similar situation I doubt I could have come up with anything better to say.
( The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Fri 4 Jul 2008, 11:48, closed)

I live in "big cat country"
on the edge of worcestershire, and know a lot of rural folk. I've heard many tales of lnyx, panthers, massive dogs etc. from quite sane, otherwise sceptical people.
(lost, Fri 4 Jul 2008, 12:53, closed)

A lot of them actually are real big cats.
They changed the law back in the seventies about owning big cats, and a lot of rich cunts in rural parts decided that they'd just set their pet panthers or whatever free rather than paying out for a license. A few of the more noteable ones have actually been caught.

There can't be many left now, but it wouldn't surprise me if some them bred. Even if it's just a sterile crossbreed or two, that's one potential second generation. Good thing none of them seem to have been Siberian tigers, eh?
(The Ghost of Stephen Foster, Fri 4 Jul 2008, 18:44, closed)