YEAR: 1995

SEASON: Winter

MONTH: February

STATE: Ohio

COUNTY: Stark County

LOCATION DETAILS: The pond is clearly visible from the road but on private property. The only change to the pond is that the owner tore the bushes out about 2yrs ago. The pond is usually covered with algae in summer.

NEAREST TOWN: North Industry, OH

NEAREST ROAD: Baum Rd. SE close to RT 800

OBSERVED: One morning between 6 & 7am in Feb./March 1995, I was driving west on Baum road in Stark County, Ohio. Just past where (.....edited.....), there's a small pond. At that time, there were large bushes growing on the east side of the pond. I travel that road a lot and it became habit to glance down at the pond to look for deer. On this particular morning, I saw what, without a doubt, was a large fur covered creature. He was squatting in front of the bushes at the edge of the pond and was using his right hand to drink...dipping into the water.

A friend was in the car with me, we were going to breakfast, she saw the exact same thing. We didn't talk about it or even acknowledge that we'd seen anything. Frankly, I thought I couldn't possibly have seen what I saw. Finally, I asked her if she'd seen anything at the pond. She described the same scene. We were too stunned/awed to go back to turn around for a second look.

ALSO NOTICED: nothing

OTHER WITNESSES: 2 witnesses...just riding in the car

OTHER STORIES: sorry but no

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 6-7am
crisp, bright, late winter morning, sun was out

ENVIRONMENT: behind the pond is a heavily wooded area, no roads, farm country but not desolate.

Follow-up investigation report:

The witness easily relates the encounter. She also provided the name of the friend that was with her. She said that they both have a sense of privilege in having been able to see this animal. The witness was just recently given the address of the BFRO website by friends who have heard her story.

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