Dundee Evening Post - 17th November 1900

NOT YET CAPTURED - SHEEP AND DOGS TORN TO PIECES.

A Knighton correspondent telegraphs that there is immense excitement amongst the inhabitants of Upper Radnorshire in consequence of the escape of a large tiger from a travelling menagerie at Aberedw. The animal bolted off about ten days ago, and has since been prowling about the country between Builth and Llandridod Wells. On Thursday it was seen within a mile of the latter town, and a number of armed men started in pursuit, but returned without meeting their quarry. On Thursday night the tiger got amongst a flock of 130 sheep, and tore many of them to pieces. The animal has also killed several sheep dogs, and it is now believed to be lurking in the thick woods which lie above the Wye Valley. Some schools in the neighbourhood have been closed, and the greatest terror prevails amongst the country people. Up to last evening the tiger had not been killed or captured.

 

Worcestershire Chronicle - 24th November 1900

A statement was published on Saturday to the effect that Upper Radnorshire was terrorised by a large tiger, which had escaped from a travelling menagerie, and had been prowling about the country for ten days, tearing sheep in pieces, and devouring sheep-dogs. Schools in the neighbourhood, it was said, had been closed. The Knighton correspondent of the Central News made a tour of 24 miles on Saturday through the tiger-infested district, but failed to find any confirmation of the story, which is now believed to be a hoax.

 

Now for what actually happened

 

South Wales Echo - 22nd November 1900

THE TALE OF THE 'TIGER'.

How it Originated.

It is now generally understood in and around Builth Wells and Llandrindod that the Radnorshire tiger scare was '"absolutely the result of an exuberant imagination." "But how did the scare originate?" is the question that has now superseded that of, "Is the tiger caught ? " An Aberedw farmer declared in a hairdressers shop at Builth Wells on Monday that the origin was simple enough, and to clear the fog proceeded to tell his tale, which was to the effect that about ten days ago he was at Three Cocks Railway Station, and lost his dog called "Tiger." A search for the dog "Tiger" followed, and the story was then started that a real tiger was at large. Tales seldom lose in the telling, and this one was widely circulated throughout the hills, the villages and towns of Radnorshire, and even to Knighton, till it had gathered to itself the wealth of circumstantial detail with which it was finally presented to the public. "Tiger," it appears, wandered about and drove sheep from field to field as he tried to find his way home - a distance of eight to ten miles - from Three Cocks to Aberedw.

 

Statement: "The Knighton correspondent of the Central News made a tour of 24 miles on Saturday through the tiger-infested district"

 

There was reportedly only one Tiger, rather a large leap to "Tiger infested".

 

Statement: "Schools in the neighbourhood, it was said, had been closed."

 

This was reported to have taken place on a Saturday. Of course the schools were closed.

 

Statement: "On Thursday night the tiger got amongst a flock of 130 sheep, and tore many of them to pieces."

 

In fact not one sheep had been injured let alone torn to pieces.

 

Never let it be said that the truth should stand in the way of a good story.