He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. New Jersey includes 'big cats,' such as a panther, a 'potentially dangerous species' for which it may or may not issue a permit to own. Permit controls for exotic or wild species comes under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Coyotes, at least, are known to be present in numbers in the region. South Jersey also is not unfamiliar with unconfirmed reports of predatory, potentially dangerous animals ranging from coyotes to big cats to bears. This part of Atlantic County has plenty of woods and open spaces through which even large animals can travel unobtrusively. The site administrator, in another post responding to inquiries from residents, stated Animal Control had reports from residents of sightings in the area of Drake and 3rd avenues. The animal was suspected to belong to a resident, not identified, with a fondness for unusual pets. The Atlantic County Lost and Found Pets Facebook page had posted a report about a missing panther, sourcing the information to Animal Control. Animal Control of South Jersey services Hamilton, but no one could be reached immediately at its offices on Friday.
