PENDLETON COUNTY, WV — Residents of a small West Virginia community spent much of Saturday night on high alert after multiple witnesses reported seeing what they described as a “massive black panther” prowling along a rural road near the edge of the woods.
Within hours, social media was flooded with warnings telling residents to bring their pets inside, keep children away from the woods, and “load something bigger than a .22.” Several witnesses described the animal as jet black, extremely fast, and possessing a long tail. One resident estimated the mysterious creature weighed “at least 150 pounds,” although authorities later noted the sighting occurred after dark from approximately 75 yards away.
“I know what I saw,” local resident Tammy Roberts said. “I've lived here 40 years. That was a black panther. You couldn't tell me otherwise.”
Trail-camera photos soon began circulating online showing a dark four-legged animal walking through the area, further fueling speculation that a mountain lion, escaped exotic animal, or previously undocumented population of black panthers had somehow established itself in the Mountain State.
Wildlife officials arrived the following morning and spent nearly three hours searching the area before finally locating the alleged predator underneath a porch.
The black panther was determined to be a five-pound domestic house cat named Midnight.
Midnight reportedly belongs to a nearby resident and had escaped through an open screen door earlier that evening. Officials described the animal as “healthy, slightly overweight, and extremely confused by all the attention.”
Authorities said the investigation officially ended after Midnight was positively identified by his owner and immediately rolled onto his back demanding someone scratch his stomach.
Roberts, however, remains unconvinced.
“That ain't the same animal,” she said. “The one I saw was way bigger.”
Midnight was unavailable for comment and was last seen sitting in a kitchen window licking himself.
The Holler Herald — West Virginia's Least Reliable News Source
If it happens in the hills, we'll probably report it. If it didn't, give us about twenty minutes.
🐈⬛ KNOW SOMEONE WHO SWEARS THEY'VE SEEN A BLACK PANTHER IN WEST VIRGINIA?
Share this story with them immediately. Midnight deserves to know how many people are afraid of him.
