Normally panthers — the official state animal — avoid humans, a habit they developed back when Florida's settlers would shoot them on sight. ... The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website says, "No panther has ever even attacked a person."

Do panthers attack humans?

"Florida Wildlife Commission has always said there's no documented case of panther attacks on humans," he tells the Pulp.

What can a panther kill?

A panther depredation is when a panther kills or injures domestic animals such as goats, sheep, calves, dogs or house cats. Panthers are carnivores that primarily prey on white-tailed deer, hogs and raccoons but they are opportunistic hunters and their diet varies.