January 5 Beast first spotted in field near a Llangadog farm where it savagely killed a whippet. Police issue warning to public urging them to be extra vigilant. Police marksmen sent to site.

January 8 Lorry driver at Llangadog's Co-operative creamery sees creature at 2am. Locals believe it was attracted to early lamb in adjoining field.

January 9 The cat is on the move and spotted at Ffairfach, six miles from original sightings. Concern grows as Ffairfach has a primary and secondary schools.

January 12 A week after initial reporting of big cat, it has ventured further afield after being spotted on hills above the Dan yr Ogof caves at Penycae.

Other sightings of big cats:

2001 Most recent sighting prior to Llangadog at Llandybie when plant operator at Cilrychen Quarry reported seeing large cat at work.

1999 A calf, horse and number of sheep savaged near Penbryn Farm, Whitemill, Carmarthenshire. Family of pumas blamed.

Also police helicopter searched for "Beast of Bont" which terrorised two 10-year-old boys at Pontarddulais.

1998 Large cat, first sighted in April, was again spotted in May disturbing bins at back of house in Foelgastell, Cross Hands. A month later same creature thought to have escaped RSPCA trap.

1997 A 'cat-like beast' reportedly savaged a foal in Felingwm, Carmarthen.

Other sightings within Wales.

1996 The Beast of Boncath spotted at Llangoedmor near Boncath, Ceredigion.

The Wildcat of Tonmawr was identified as a North American Jungle Cat, an ocelot, from a plaster cast of a paw print left in a forest near Port Talbot.

1983 A motorist saw a large cat in his headlights near Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran - the.third sighting in two weeks of the Bryngarw Beast.

1980 The Powys Puma killed four sheep on a farm in Llangurig.