Bobcat that Attacked Connecticut Woman Tests Positive for Rabies

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says in a press release that the bobcat apparently involved in the attack on a woman in Bozrah Saturday tested positive for rabies. The results were obtained Tuesday afternoon from the State Health Lab administered by the Department of Public Health.

Background on Weekend Events Involving Bobcat

DEEP was notified by State Police, Troop E at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30 that a Stanton Hill Road, Bozrah woman was attacked by a bobcat while in her yard. Her husband and two sons struck at the bobcat until it ran away. She suffered injuries from scratches and bites and was taken to Backus Hospital, Norwich for treatment.

DEEP Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) responded and searched for the bobcat until dark, but were unable to locate it. Officers returned to the scene Sunday morning with a trained canine to continue the search.

At approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 State Police, Troop E reported that a Lebanon family in the vicinity of Norwich Avenue and Waterman Road had an encounter with a bobcat which they fended off. There were no injuries. Others in the area also reported encounters with a bobcat that day.

EnCon Police, who were still in the area searching, were able to locate the bobcat and euthanized it on McGrath Lane, Lebanon. They then transported it to the State Health Lab for tests to determine if it had rabies.

DEEP believes this bobcat is the one involved in the attacks since it was found in close proximity to the attacks and had injuries consistent with the encounter on Stanton Road.

Background on Bobcats

Bobcats are common in Connecticut and found in most towns throughout the state. They are secretive, solitary and seldom observed, tending to hunt and travel in areas of thick cover. Compared to many wildlife species, bobcats rarely cause conflicts with human activities and rarely contract rabies. For more information visit: www.ct.gov/deep/bobcatfacts