Bobcat In Lyme Attack Tests Positive For Rabies: Report

LYME, CT — A bobcat that attacked and injured three people on Selden Neck Island in Selden Neck State Park has tested positive for rabies, NBC CT reported. The testing was done by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The bobcat attack occurred early Friday morning when one of the people was sleeping in a hammock.

The three campers were able to kill the bobcat, but not without sustaining injuries.

The Deep River Fire Department and DEEP EnCon Police transported all the campers off the island, and all three were taken to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, according to DRFD Chief Tim Lee.

DEEP and DRFD emergency workers were joined by crews from Chester, Essex and Lyme, all dispatched shortly after 2 a.m.

The victims were leading a group of nine youth campers at the time, and it is believed that none of the campers had contact with the bobcat, according to DEEP spokesperson Paul Copleman.

The state bobcat population is enjoying a resurgence after the species was nearly wiped out here. There have been 2,778 bobcat sightings in Connecticut so far this year.