More lion sightings in Chesterfield - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

By Beth Danziger - bio | email

CHESTERFIELD, VA (NBC12) - Lion sightings are still popping up in Chesterfield. It's been more than a week since we first told you about a possible lion on the loose in Bon Air and Midlothian. But in just the last few days, more residents are coming forward to say they've seen it.

Bernadett Magne says when her husband spotted the lion in their backyard off Radstock Road Monday night -- he looked like he'd seen a ghost. He saw it sitting by the tree looking at him.

"He was white as a sheet and he kept saying he's out there he's out there," says Bernadett Magne, whose husband, Tom, saw the lion.

Tom Magne admits he was skeptical of the first lion reports but, once he saw it for his own eyes he says there's no doubt it's either a mountain lion or lionese like this one at the Richmond Metro Zoo.

"It's full grown lion it's a no a little cat or cub it's a full grown lion," says Tom. 

A Game and Inland Fisheries spokesperson said Friday they are too getting sighting calls.
 
But, says there still aren't any confirmed reports.
 
Residents say just because no one has a picture of it and officials haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not out there.

The Game and Inland Fisheries spokesperson also said Friday Animal Control is mostly handling the issue. The department only deals with native wildlife.
    
But, residents feel they're getting the run around when it comes to this issue.

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