THE DREADED black panther or jaguar metaphorically stalked the corridors of State Parliament last week when Hawkesbury MP Ray Williams put a question to the Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees.

Mr Williams said: ``Given there have now been over 320 confirmed and documented sightings by residents of a large black cat, referred to as either a panther or a jaguar, in the areas of the Hawkesbury electorate from Kenthurst to Maraylya, Kurrajong and Colo, and that tracks of a large cat surround sites where several animals such as lambs, deer and goats have been killed, and that the most recent sighting involved two small children, what measures are currently being undertaken to remove the risk of a person or small child being attacked by these animals?''

Mr Rees replied: ``The NSW Department of Primary Industries investigates all reports of sightings of large black cats. I am advised that to date, no confirmed evidence has been found of these animals.

``The Government urges all people to be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions.''

Kurrajong resident Chris Coffey, who keeps a record of all panther sightings, was disgusted by the response.