Bobcat Spotted in Milford Neighborhood

A bobcat was spotted in a residential Milford neighborhood recently, causing people to become fearful for their pets and fearful for the bobcat.

Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan shared the photograph on Facebook Monday, August 17. He wrote: “Whoa!!! Take a look at this huge cat (bobcat?) roaming a residential neighborhood in Milford this afternoon. Thanks to Tim for sharing this picture with us.”

The picture was taken in the Westport Street area.

“It’s right next to the connector for the Merritt/95 and it’s a fairly urban area,” Nick DiGiovanni said. “Not what you would consider the center/downtown of Milford, but geographically it’s pretty much in the center of the town.”

If you see a bobcat, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection asks that you report the sighting to the Wildlife Division at deep.wildlife@ct.gov or by calling 860-424-3011.

Nothing gets people talking quite like wild animals and this sighting was no different.

What People Are Saying

• Domestic animals are now on their menu so if you have a cat or small dog in that area be careful. — William T Costello

• Wouldn’t you know. A bobcat in its natural environment! — Nikol Passander

• The cat’s in the right place — it’s all the houses in Milford that shouldn’t be there — Geoff Isabelle

• He is a handsome fellow. We have several that pass through from time to time. They don’t bother anything. They would rather eat rabbits and small rodents. Hope no one decides to shoot him. — Kathleen Stoughton-Trahan

• Beautiful animal, but still a little off-putting. — Melissa Dellamarggio

• There was on in my Wallingford back yard 2 years ago. 18 years ago, when I worked at Masonic, also in Wallingford, I saw one on the back hill. Not uncommon at all in Connecticut. — Beth DeGennaro

Bobcats in Connecticut

According to the DEEP, the bobcat population in the state has increased in recent years. They can be found in all counties, but the heaviest numbers are in the northwestern corner.

“The bobcat is the only wild cat found in Connecticut and the most common wild cat in North America,” the CT DEEP notes. “Its status has changed dramatically in our state. Historically, bobcats were not protected in Connecticut and were viewed as a threat to agriculture and game species. The state even had a bounty on bobcats from 1935-1971. By the early 1970s, a large increase in the value of bobcat pelts raised concerns that the population could be overharvested. In addition, deforestation of the state’s landscape that peaked in the 1800s greatly reduced habitat for bobcats and many other wildlife species. In 1972, the bobcat was reclassified as a protected furbearer in Connecticut with no hunting or trapping seasons.”

A Bobcat’s Diet

• Cottontail rabbits
• Woodchucks
• Squirrels
• Chipmunks
• Mice
• Voles
• Snowshoe hares
• White-tailed deer
• Birds
• Insects and reptiles (to a lesser extent)
• Bobcats also prey on domestic animals

Have you seen any bobcats or other wild critters around Milford? Join the conversation below.

(Photo courtesy of Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan via Facebook)