Phantom animal seen near St Austell, local councillor warns.
What is it? Other than big, black, and beastly, that is. A black panther, one of the celebrated ABCs (alien big cats) known to prowl the English countryside? Is it a wolf or werewolf, one of Britain’s infamous “Black Dogs” or Hellhounds? Is it some pervert dressed in a furry costume? Great Britain has its fair share of big black beast-type thingies, but this one was spotted by Councilwoman Sandra Heyward and mentioned at a recent St. Austell town meeting. Said Heyward: “[workers should] be careful clearing the trees [in the area] as there is a large black animal. I have got to be careful what I say, living up there. It is not a dog, it’s not a cat. I have seen it.” From this highly detailed description, we can safely infer—what, exactly?
Writers for the Rake and Herald are having a bit of fun with this one, and who can blame them? But it bears mentioning that the area in question, where the mysterious whatever-the-hell-it-is has been seen, is a known hotspot for paranormal activity, including an ancient well, regarded for its mystical healing properties. It is the land surrounding this well, in fact, that workers have been instructed to clear. Could the Big Black Beast be some kind of guardian of this site?
