By Tim Binnall
Cops in Cincinnati were left scratching their heads after multiple residents reported seeing a loose tiger wandering down a road, but an hours-long search for the animal turned up no sign of the phantom big cat. According to a local media report, the weird and worrisome incident began at around 3 AM on Monday when someone called 911 about the out-of-place creature said to have been seen in the vicinity of the University of Cincinnati. Detailing the sighting to officers on duty, the dispatcher explained that the loose tiger had been seen by "a credible witness" and, stressing the seriousness of the situation, indicated that "we're getting multiple calls on it."
In response, the officer who received the report dutifully replied "well go ahead and call the zoo. Let's get this thing started." However, when cops set about searching for the big cat that was last seen venturing into some woods, they were unable to locate the animal despite spending several hours looking for it. As for the Cincinnati Zoo, they told police that their two tigers were accounted for, making the origin of the animal all the more mysterious. Ultimately police called off the search, though they gave no indication as to whether or not the strange sighting was genuine or possibly a misguided late-night prank.