LIVINGSTON, TX – In a startling turn of events, local resident Earl Jenkins made headlines this week after he reported a sighting of a black panther in his backyard. Excitement spread throughout the community as residents speculated about the mysterious creature roaming the area.

However, further investigation revealed that the so-called black panther was actually just Jenkins’ neighbor’s cat named Panther. The feline had escaped from its home and wandered into Jenkins’ yard, causing quite the commotion.

“It was the size of a small bear and had these piercing yellow eyes,” Jenkins described in his initial report. “I’ve never seen anything like it before in these parts.”

Residents flocked to Jenkins’ property to catch a glimpse of the supposed black panther, only to be met with laughter when they realized the truth. Many took to social media to poke fun at the situation, with memes circulating of Jenkins posing triumphantly with the harmless house cat.

In response to the mix-up, a local animal control officer reminded residents to keep their pets securely indoors to avoid similar cases of mistaken identity.

This incident serves as a reminder to always approach rumors with caution and investigate before jumping to conclusions. While Livingston may not be home to wild black panthers, it certainly has its fair share of colorful characters, both human and feline.

Stay tuned for more updates on the latest happenings in our quirky little town.