Texas Black Panthers

Stories of black panthers in the woods near Dialville, Texas, have residents concerned; so says the Jacksonville Daily Progress:

"Residents here are treading lightly and keeping an eye out for black panthers, who many say have made the woods in the Dialville area their temporary home.
"How long they’ll stay here is anybody’s guess, according to citizens living in the area, who are fearful of a 'mother panther and her three cubs' who have been spotted along the Dialville Highway on County Road 1610." ...
"However, officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say the animals may have been confused with another type of creature."

The officials suggest a black lab or bobcat.