Huge paw prints discovered next to a mutilated pet foal killed in the middle of the night
The horrific new evidence of possible big cat activity in Cornwall follows sightings of a 'lion' in the area
HORRIFIC new evidence of possible big cat activity in Cornwall has emerged after a woman's pet foal was mutilated in the night.
Mellissa Press, 33, who lives in Carn Brea Village discovered the ravaged body of her foal Cinders on Monday night.
The devastated owner is at a loss to explain how one of her foals gruesomely died in the middle of the night but said huge paw prints of an animal were found by her foal's remains.
Cinders, who wasn't even a month old, was lying dead with chunks of flesh missing from her side exposing her rib cage, her neck and her face.
"I just don't understand what has happened," said Mellissa. "I've kept horses since I was 13 and have never come across anything like this.
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"My ex-partner went to check on Cinders and rang and said she was dead. At first I didn't believe him but I then went up and found her lying in the field."
A heartbroken Mellissa at first suspected Cinders had been the victim of a dog attack but said she doesn't believe the foal's wounds match with those of such an attack.
"Dog attacks are usually messy with puncture wounds and scratches but I didn't find any of those on Cinders," she added. "She also has a load of flesh missing from her back and spine.
"She was in a field with two other horses but must have wandered away and became easy pickings."
Mellissa says that she did find a couple of fencing panels along the perimeter of the field the horses were being kept in had been smashed and also a large footprint.
"I have a big dog and its footprint was literally half the size of the one I found in my field.
"It's heart-breaking but I need to stay strong for my children we also have a English Spring Spaniel Harley that has been missing for more than a year that we are continuing to search for."
A lorry driver had recently reported seeing a big cat in Clay Country near St Austell.
A dead dear was also found nearby leading experts to state that a big cat living in Cornwall is a possibility.
Mellissa has said that she isn't sure what caused Cinders' death but wouldn't rule out animal attack or foul play as possible causes.
Both Mellissa's daughter Leahney and friend Beth Tonkin have also spoken of their anguish.
Leahney said: "The night before she passed away Beth and I were just starting to gain Cinders' trust and I'm so sad the opportunity has passed."
Beth added: "We all loved here so much and will miss her dearly. It is such a shame she has passed and it's so bad that someone or something has done that to her."
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