News

AFRAID OF THE BEAST - Mystery surrounds strange creature in Cedar Valley

By FRANCINE BLACK, Staff Reporter

A mysterious beast has been roaming through the fields of Cedar Valley, St. Ann and some residents believe it's a fulfilment of prophecy, while others believe it's a 'rolling calf'.

Whatever it is, residents of Cedar Valley are scared because they they say the beast, which comes out after midnight, has been destroying their banana crops. They are desperately trying to rid the area of the animal which they believe may soon attack animals or worse, humans.

According to the residents they first saw the beast about three months ago and in that space of time it has reportedly devoured more than ten banana trees and one cedar tree.

Prior to the discovery of the beast, residents had believed a neighbour's pig was the cause of their problems. However after the cedar tree was eaten two weeks ago they say they realised that the culprit was stronger and more dangerous than a pig. The residents say teeth marks were left on what remained of the cedar tree indicating that it was something more powerful than any animal they have ever known.

Errol Mitchell, a farmer who claims to have seen the beast says it appeared to be a cross between a goat and a dog and may have been a product of the reproduction of these animals. "It look like dawg, bark like dawg but di funniest ting it don't carry feet like dawg. Dem carry hoof like goat," Mitchell said.

He said there are two of the animlas, one brown and white and the other black. They usually bark before coming to the field, he says.

In describing the first time he saw the beast, Mitchell said; "I was in the house about 4:00 a.m. and mi hear di banana tree tearing down and had a feeling like something wrong."

He said he ran to his field behind his house, where he saw the beasts about to eat his banana plants. He said he sprang into action and chased the animals out of his field. He said the beasts have returned several times, however he hears them in time to chase them away.

According to residents, the beast only comes out between midnight and dawn every two to three weeks

Edmon Scott, another farmer, said at least five of his banana plants have been eaten. While he carried THE STAR news team through the community, Scott discovered that another tree had been eaten the previous night.

Sonia Garden, his daughter, said she woke up late one night and saw the animlas in action. After putting a bedside lamp outside in order to enquire what was going on, she said she saw two dog-like animals tearing down her banana trees before fleeing from her garden.

Residents have attempted to organise hunts to try and catch the animals, however they say these have not worked out as they do not know when the animal will turn up.

They theorise that the beast may have travelled from St. Ann's Bay or a neighbouring community called Cuffie Ridge.

The Cave Valley police said they have heard about the beasts but they have had no formal reports.They also say they have no concrete information on which to start an investigation.

In the meantime, several residents continue to believe that the beast is an indication that the world is coming to an end. "A prophecy lead the creature here because these days are the days when man see anything ," one resident said.