VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Residents of Sandbridge say there have been multiple sightings of what appears to be a black panther!
Sam Musselman was walking his dog several weeks ago during the evening hours when he noticed a black animal come out of a wooded area near Pike and Little Island. He managed to get a quick video clip.
He told News 3 reporter Angela Bohon that he isn’t positive what it was but said that it did not have the gait of a large dog. The latest apparent sighting was this week near Rock Lane, not too far from the beach.
An officer with Virginia Beach Animal Control said that as of Thursday evening, they had not received any reports of this. One resident who asked to remain anonymous said USDA wildlife experts have been contacted and are investigating.
News 3 spoke with a couple of different wildlife experts who strongly doubt it’s a panther or a cougar. In the meantime, residents are asked to stay alert.