No sightings of Bolivia predator

Brunswick County Animal Services authorities reported no weekend sightings of an unknown woods-dwelling animal blamed for the deaths of at least three dogs in Midway Road neighborhoods in recent weeks.

Animal Services director Richard Cooper said area residents have called to report additional tracks of a possible canine variety found in fields and backyards, but no sightings of the animal have been confirmed.

Cooper said animal services staff have followed the tracks left by the predator into heavily wooded, uninhabited areas before tracks are lost.

A comparison of the tracks to known animal species may indicate a large wolf or bobcat, he said.

Callers contacting Animal Services maintain that a large cat, such as a cougar, lion or tiger, may be on the loose after escaping from a small zoo once located off Midway Road.

Cooper said the Faircloth Zoo, which operated near the search area in Bolivia for nine years, closed last year after its owner, Lillian Faircloth, sold the animals kept in enclosures and cages to other zoos around the country.

The empty zoo site, located a half-mile west of Midway Road, remains but is overgrown by weeds, trees and brush.

No animal attacks on humans have been reported since incidents of dogs being killed began trickling into the office about three weeks ago, which raised neighborhood fears of an unknown predator, Cooper said.

Cooper urged residents to be cautious and aware of surroundings when outdoors and to report sightings of any large, possibly rabid animals. Animal Services staff remain on call at 754-8204 to respond to sightings.

Paul Jefferson: 538-2955

paul.jefferson@starnewsonline.com