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Search underway for Loose Primate in Campbell County 

October 20, 2003 

By VINCE LENNON 
6 News Reporter 

JACKSBORO (WATE) -- Animal control                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  officers in Campbell County are searching for a primate, perhaps weighing 400 pounds, that's on the loose. And   nearly 100 pets are missing. 

"I didn't really get a good                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             look at his face because he didn't hang around all that long,"   Donna Keathley said about                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             when she saw an ape-like creature last week   in LaFollette. "But he's big and he's got a really bad stinkful odor to   him." 

LaFollette                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Animal Control Officer George Moses said, "I   believe that the people believe that they see it. I don't have any reason to doubt   them, that they're mistaken." 

Moses said he hasn't seen the animal but he's certainly   heard of it. He started getting calls about it three                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          weeks ago.   All the alleged sightings center on the College Hill community, just outside the LaFollette city   limits. 

Coinciding with the sightings   are numerous reports of missing cats and kittens. "All told, over 100" are missing, Moses   said. 

According to Donna   Keathley, when she startled the animal, "This kitten he threw at me, no one knows   where it come from." 

One College Hill man, who declined to be identified, claims   the primate is an orangutan. He said he saw it Tuesday morning   leaving stool samples on his property. 

Many College Hill residents believe the   animal escaped a circus that performed at the nearby National Guard   armory a few months back. But the LaFollette Police Department and the Campbell County Sheriff's Department didn't   take any reports of a missing animal. 

Donna Keathley said her neighbors are   ready to shoot the animal. "If I had a gun, I would've shot it." 

Several people told 6 News Monday that they want the animal caught or killed   before Halloween so it can't attack a child or another pet. 

Campbell County   officers warn anyone who sees the animal not to attempt capturing it. It's considered dangerous. Instead, any sighting should be   reported immediately to LaFollette Animal Control at (423)-566-1383. 

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