Black cougar reported east of Ottawa

A resident of the eastern Ontario town of Lac George, east of Ottawa, told police he spotted what he called a black panther Wednesday afternoon.

Residents in the area have been reporting sightings of a black cougar over the past three years, but so far there is no proof it really exists.

Police patrolled the area, which is in the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet, on Wednesday, but found no sign of the animal.

They are advising people to be cautious if they spot the big cat, and to call them.

This comes just days after a series of cougar sightings in the Arnprior area, west of Ottawa.