Rabid bobcat attacks 4, terrorizes resort town in Arizona
PHOENIX — People flock to the Arizona desert town of Sedona for its tranquility and relaxation. But tranquility turned to terror after a rabid bobcat attacked residents and pets.
Authorities killed the rabid animal after it injured four people, a dog and a house cat in three separate attacks last week in Sedona.
The bobcat first struck Thursday morning when a man heard strange noises coming from his parked vehicle and looked underneath. The sick animal scratched and bit the man and injured his dog before running away.
Five hours later, a woman called police to report that a bobcat attacked her house cat, Roger, while the two animals were under her vehicle. The woman was not injured, but Roger was scratched on his rear leg before the bobcat fled.
The bobcat was spotted about 20 minutes later running through the parking lot at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa. Three employees trying to get the bobcat out from under vehicles and to leave the property were scratched before police arrived.
"There were all these kinds of people crowded around the cat, which was under the car growling," said Gene Kurz, a community service officer for the Sedona Police Department who responded to the call at the resort. "And once it was determined the cat was sick, people listened real fast and got out of the way."
The bobcat ran into a nearby storm wash. Game and Fish officers attempted to capture the animal, but it was too aggressive, and they shot and killed the bobcat with a pistol.
Authorities say the incident serves as a reminder to not approach wild animals, especially ones acting as erratically as the bobcat.
"In the future, if anyone sees an animal that's acting unusual, somewhat more aggressive or a nocturnal animal out in the daytime, the best thing is to stay away, get your pets secured, and the first call should be to Arizona Game and Fish department," said Arizona Game and Fish spokeswoman Shelly Shepherd.
Test results later confirmed the bobcat had rabies.
Only the man from the first incident was bitten. The three men at the resort suffered minor scratches to their arms.
The dog, which was vaccinated, was placed in quarantine that will last less than two weeks. The house cat's vaccinations were expired so Roger was placed on a longer, 45-day home quarantine.
Shepherd said the bobcat may have had contact with other people or pets in the five-hour gap between attacks.
"If anyone had contact with a sick animal, or if their pet did, then they should please contact their health provider or vet," Shepherd said.
Bobcat that attacked 3 women in Conn. tests positive for rabies
COLCHESTER, Conn. -- Authorities say a bobcat that jumped on a Connecticut woman and scratched two others who were trying to help her has tested positive for rabies.
The attack happened Tuesday in a greenhouse in Colchester. The bobcat was then shot and killed.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says it’s rare for bobcats to attack people, but when they do, rabies is often the cause.
The bobcat was taken to the state health lab for a rabies test and the results were reported Wednesday.
The greenhouse is on the property of The Caring Community, a social service provider for residential and day programs.
The three women were treated at a nearby medical center.
Due to the incident, East Hampton Public Schools Superintendent Paul K. Smith said they are making sure that students are safe and “bus drop-offs in that area will be closer to student homes,” CBS affiliate WTNH reported.
Danicee Butcka, who has lived next to The Caring Community of Connecticut for the last 23 years, told WTNH that with a lot of woods nearby, it’s not uncommon to see wild animals.
“We’ve seen bobcats in our backyard and then crossing down the street,” Butcka said. “It’s scary to think something like that can happen in broad daylight.”
Authorities killed the rabid animal after it injured four people, a dog and a house cat in three separate attacks last week in Sedona.
The bobcat first struck Thursday morning when a man heard strange noises coming from his parked vehicle and looked underneath. The sick animal scratched and bit the man and injured his dog before running away.
Five hours later, a woman called police to report that a bobcat attacked her house cat, Roger, while the two animals were under her vehicle. The woman was not injured, but Roger was scratched on his rear leg before the bobcat fled.
The bobcat was spotted about 20 minutes later running through the parking lot at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa. Three employees trying to get the bobcat out from under vehicles and to leave the property were scratched before police arrived.
"There were all these kinds of people crowded around the cat, which was under the car growling," said Gene Kurz, a community service officer for the Sedona Police Department who responded to the call at the resort. "And once it was determined the cat was sick, people listened real fast and got out of the way."
The bobcat ran into a nearby storm wash. Game and Fish officers attempted to capture the animal, but it was too aggressive, and they shot and killed the bobcat with a pistol.
Authorities say the incident serves as a reminder to not approach wild animals, especially ones acting as erratically as the bobcat.
"In the future, if anyone sees an animal that's acting unusual, somewhat more aggressive or a nocturnal animal out in the daytime, the best thing is to stay away, get your pets secured, and the first call should be to Arizona Game and Fish department," said Arizona Game and Fish spokeswoman Shelly Shepherd.
Test results later confirmed the bobcat had rabies.
Only the man from the first incident was bitten. The three men at the resort suffered minor scratches to their arms.
The dog, which was vaccinated, was placed in quarantine that will last less than two weeks. The house cat's vaccinations were expired so Roger was placed on a longer, 45-day home quarantine.
Shepherd said the bobcat may have had contact with other people or pets in the five-hour gap between attacks.
"If anyone had contact with a sick animal, or if their pet did, then they should please contact their health provider or vet," Shepherd said.
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| © robertharding/REX/Shutterstock. Bobcat (Lynx rufus), Montana, United States of America. |
Bobcat that attacked 3 women in Conn. tests positive for rabies
COLCHESTER, Conn. -- Authorities say a bobcat that jumped on a Connecticut woman and scratched two others who were trying to help her has tested positive for rabies.
The attack happened Tuesday in a greenhouse in Colchester. The bobcat was then shot and killed.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says it’s rare for bobcats to attack people, but when they do, rabies is often the cause.
The bobcat was taken to the state health lab for a rabies test and the results were reported Wednesday.
The greenhouse is on the property of The Caring Community, a social service provider for residential and day programs.
The three women were treated at a nearby medical center.
Due to the incident, East Hampton Public Schools Superintendent Paul K. Smith said they are making sure that students are safe and “bus drop-offs in that area will be closer to student homes,” CBS affiliate WTNH reported.
Danicee Butcka, who has lived next to The Caring Community of Connecticut for the last 23 years, told WTNH that with a lot of woods nearby, it’s not uncommon to see wild animals.
“We’ve seen bobcats in our backyard and then crossing down the street,” Butcka said. “It’s scary to think something like that can happen in broad daylight.”
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