An Abbotsford Police officer who turned up to check on a reported cougar sighting and saw an orange domestic tabby on the scene thought the caller had made a mistake.
But then the caller pointed out the massive claw marks on the trunk of the tree from which she had seen the cat descend.
"The spacing on the claw marks was significant," said Const. Ian MacDonald.
Police believe the sighting was legitimate. It was reported at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday from a woman living in an apartment in the area of Tims Street and George Ferguson Way.
MacDonald said the woman was the only one to report to police that a cougar had been seen in the busy residential area.
The local conservation office was notified, but did not attend. Authorities believe the cat quickly made its way to a forested area, MacDonald said.