Bobcat Sighting Reported In Stamford: Police

STAMFORD, CT — A bobcat was seen in Stamford on Vine Road Friday morning, according to a social media post from police.

Sgt. Jon Gale of the Stamford Police Department had a "brief" encounter with the bobcat, which came within 20 feet of him, police said. A photo posted by the department showed the bobcat near a wooded area at around 9:30 a.m.

"Residents are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings and to use caution when walking pets," police said. "Please keep your pets close and supervised, especially in areas where wildlife may be present."

The bobcat is the only wild cat found in Connecticut and the most common wild cat in North America, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

"Bobcats are most active just after dusk and before dawn. Secretive, solitary, and seldom observed, they tend to hunt and travel in areas of thick cover, relying on their keen eyesight and hearing for locating prey," the CT-DEEP website says. "Bobcats are patient hunters, meaning they spend much of their time either sitting or crouching, watching and listening. Once prey is located, a bobcat will stalk within range and ambush its quarry."

Adult male bobcats typically weigh between 18 and 35 pounds and measure from 32 to 37 inches in length. Adult females typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and measure from 28 to 32 inches in length, according to CT-DEEP.

Bobcats rarely come into conflict with humans, though they will occasionally kill livestock, particularly fowl, and attack domestic cats.

Read more on bobcats in CT here.