Farmer Colin Crane was left stunned when he discovered one of his lambs dead and covered in deep gouges in a field in Hail Weston, close to the village's playing fields.

Then a week later – last Thursday – he came across another lamb, covered in deep scratches but still alive, at Wood Farm, Staughton Road, near Kimbolton. The animal later had to be put down because of its injuries.

The news follows an appeal by police for people who have spotted any big cats roaming around following complaints by other farmers about attacks on cattle.

Mr Crane, who lives in Hail Weston, said: "I had two lambs attacked within a week of each other.

"I have been running a sheep farm here for about four to five years and have never seen anything like this before.

"I do not think dogs would have been capable of doing this. The scratches are very deep.

"I am about 98 per cent certain they must have been caused by a big cat.
"The other lambs have been left distressed since this happened."

The report follows an appeal by Cambridgeshire Constabulary's wildlife officer PC Paul Carter for big cat sightings.

He launched a special investigation following complaints of attacks on cattle and sheep by Huntingdonshire farmers. They reported sighting of a strange creature, descriptions of which ranged from a large black panther to a smaller spotted feline such as a lynx.

Pc Carter said he had filed five eye witness reports of big cat sightings recently. Most reported activity had taken place in the area west of the A1 corridor.

>> Have you seen a big cat prowling the Cambridgeshire wilds?
Maybe you managed to take a snap shot on your camera or phone.
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