http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_2365370,00.html
Missing cats leave animal control officer wondering
By CLIFF HIGHTOWER, hightowerc@knews.com
October 21, 2003
A LaFollette animal control officer said Tuesday that several Campbell County residents have reported more than 100 cats missing over the past three weeks.
George Moses said residents speculate the culprit might be anything from a black bear to a monkey or an ape.
"I have never seen this monkey," Moses said.
He said residents have reported seeing a 3-1/2-foot-tall primate around their homes in the College Hill area near LaFollette before the cats went missing.
He spoke to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Department on Tuesday and was told that if it was a monkey or an ape, then it might weigh approximately 80-100 pounds, he said.
Moses said residents should understand that it could be potentially dangerous.
"If it is out there, they need to stay away from it," Moses said.
He said one person who lives in the area had 83 cats she kept in her yard.
"She's now down to nine," he said.
He said rumors abound about a mysterious entity that is lurking around the area and how it got there. One theory is that it escaped from a circus that was in town a few weeks ago.
But he said the circus never reported a missing animal.
He said another speculation is that it could be a black bear.
"It could be a cinnamon black bear," he said. "But that's just speculation."
He said an animal rescue group from Oliver Springs has volunteered to capture the animal, if it is some sort of primate.
In the meantime, he has been searching for the animal, but has been unsuccessful.
"I'm the only animal control officer in the county," he said.
Moses said if anyone sees the mysterious animal, they could contact him at 423-566-1583.
"I've never actually seen it, though," he said. "So everything is just speculation."
Cliff Hightower may be reached at 865-342-6305.
