Mystery creature on the loose (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Mystery creature on the loose

A STRANGE and mysterious creature is on the prowl in the Bishopdown area of Salisbury.

Variously nicknamed Kanga-rooey, Catty, Doggy and Monkey, one theory is that the animal is a coatimundi - usually found in central America.

The creature was first spotted by Nicki Lomas (23), of Winterbourne Gunner, who was driving along London Road at about 10pm on May 6, when an animal ran out in front of her car. Miss Lomas, who alerted the police, described the creature as a cross between a dog and a cat, about 1.5m in length, with a long stripy yellow-and-black tail with a white tip.

"The creature ran off into Bishopdown estate, but it was a fair distance in front of my car and I was quite shocked," she said.

In the early hours of May 5, two police officers on patrol in Castle Road saw what they describe as a skinny, dark grey animal, about 2ft high with a long ringed tail, and monkey-type movement running across the park.

And on June 1, retired military pilot Raymond Clark (79) was looking out of the window at his home in Laverstock Park when he caught sight of a border collie-size racoon-like creature with a long ringed tail.

"It was darkish grey in colour, furry and larger than a cat. After thinking about it I realised it was probably a coati," said Mr Clark.

The coatimundi, or ring-tailed coati, is native to the forests of Mexico and central America and is typically 13-27 inches in length.

Police want to hear from any other members of the public who may have seen the mystery animal or have pictures of it.

Wildlife groups have been told to keep their eyes peeled, although police think the animal is probably an unusual pet and unlikely to be dangerous.