Large cat-like animal by Harris Teeter

Last night at about 8:30 driving past the Harris Teeter (in the woodsy area before the Broadlands sign) I saw a LARGE cat like animal walking into the woods across from HT. The lights from the shopping center illuminated the animal somewhat, but I was unable to get a picture of it. It was tan in color, boxy face, ears that stuck up, muscular (you could tell by the way it was walking), a long tail with a black tip at the end. It was not fluffy, but short fur. It was not a fox, housecat, dog, raccoon, turtle. Whatever it was was big (looked larger than a golden retriever). When it walked it looked the way a big cat walks (with its shoulder blades really pronounced and skin moving with it).

Any guesses as to what it could have been?

 

The Mill Run mountain lion!!!!!!!!!

 

Haha! Maybe so!

 

Definitely sounds like a mountain lion! Yikes!

 

Cool! Maybe it will be spotted again.

 

Sharse, after you mentioned the Mill Run mascot I went and looked at it online....that is exactly what I saw. I thought those were on the west coast!

I'd be interested to hear if the homeowners over there have seen it.

 

Very interesting...too bad you didn't have a camera with you.

 

I don't think a mountain lion has been spotted in VA for years. Did you call animal control to see if anyone else has reported it?

 

or a tranquilizer gun... :hide:

 

...or a can of Friskies!

 

I sent them an email. There was no answer when I called (and no voice mail either).

 

Department of Game said it must have been a bobcat. What I saw did not have spots on it, but I suppose that's what it was. The lady also said that hunting season for bobcats starts in October. I still think it looked more like a mountain lion, but whatever. There was a big cat over by the Harris Teeter.

 

although not my picture...that is what I saw.

 

are you SERIOUS??? it was that BIG? you sure there weren't mojitos or margaritas involved in this siting?!?!? good grief... i am going to become agoraphobic.

 

yikes!!

 

No mojitos or margaritas involved. I'm not kidding when I said it was a large animal. So not kidding.

 

oooh.... you are killing me luft... now my dog is not just a pet when i am walking him- he is a potenital appetizer for some wildcat!!!

i thought the only wild cats we had to worry about here were COUGARS... at CLYDES.

 

I'm sure other sightings will occur (or at least reports of missing pets) if you really did see a cat like this.

 

I'm not saying it was a mountain lion (or cougar), but what made it stand out (besides its size) was the black tip on the tail. I'm hoping someone will see it again! It would be great to find out what it really is.

 

Does anyone have a large Hav-a-hart trap?! We should have it fixed before it reproduces