Shaun, who reported the incident to Puma Watch, said the encounter happened at around 5.45am as he approached the entrance to the Dagger Trail at Pen y Pigyn in Corwen.
He told the group: “I was going for my morning walk with my dog up Pen y Pigyn. I had just let my little dog off her lead just before the entrance to the ‘Dagger Trail’ when my dog went running in the trees barking.
“I looked back and at first thought she was chasing a labrador‑size dog when I clocked its movement and hind legs and tail — it was a black panther. My dog never barks; today was the first time she has run at something barking. She lives with a cat and has no problems with them when out.
“The panther ran half up a tree clinging on. I saw its full size and how long and thick its tail was. I shouted my dog back and it then jumped down and walked — not ran — up into the trees. I’ve never seen a cat so big.
“I know what I saw.
“I am big into nature, knowing its movement, its size, shape — everything was a panther. I was always an open sceptic until today but I fully believe in other sightings now. I did try getting my phone out to video it but I wasn’t quick enough.”
A hotspot for reported big cat activity
Pen y Pigyn rises steeply above Corwen and is known for its ancient oak woodland, the Gorsedd stone circle and the circular Dagger Trail, linked to the legend of Owain Glyndŵr. Its dense cover and proximity to the wider Dee Valley make it an environment where large, elusive animals could remain hidden.
What do you think he saw? Let us know in the comments.
This latest report adds to a cluster of sightings in and around Corwen. A nearby household previously described hearing a roar “identical to a puma’s,” while a suspected big cat was filmed on the railway line just a few hundred metres from the woods.
Across Denbighshire and the Dee Valley, multiple sightings have been logged in recent years.
Why big cats may be roaming Wales
Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, it became illegal to keep big cats such as pumas and panthers without a licence. Many owners are believed to have released their animals into remote areas rather than surrender them, with rural Wales often cited as a likely release location.
Since then, reports of large black cats have continued across Snowdonia, the Clwydian Range and the Dee Valley.
Have you seen something unusual?
Puma Watch encourages members of the public to share information to help map sightings across Wales and the wider UK.
You can report a sighting using their online form.
What do you think he saw? Let us know in the comments.