'God Saved Our Baby': GA Woman Recalls Bobcat Attack On Granddaughter

WINTERVILLE, GA — "God had a hand of protection on that baby."

That's according to Anita Scoggins, whose 3-year-old granddaughter recently survived a bobcat attack at Scoggins' Winterville home.

Two attacks happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday near Melton and Williams McCurley roads, the Oglethorpe County Fire and Rescue Department said in a Facebook post. Fire officials said the bobcat was aggressive.

Scoggins told Patch on Tuesday the bobcat attacked her granddaughter Crystal Yamasato after attacking a boy in the area — an abnormality for the Winterville community.

See also: 'Aggressive' Bobcat Attacks Winterville Juveniles: Fire Officials

Yamasato was outside playing with her cousin and 13-year-old aunt when the bobcat — seemingly rabid — came around the house and attacked her about 10 feet from Scoggins' front porch. Yamasato was supervised at the time, Scoggins noted.

The bobcat grabbed and partially pulled Yamasato under Scoggins' car and that is when Yamasato's mother ran from the home, screaming for the bobcat to let go of her daughter.

One of the family dogs, a Husky mix, pounced on the bobcat and pulled on it. The bobcat released Yamasato and took off from the scene. Simultaneously, the other family dog, a black Labrador Retriever, jumped in front of the young girl for added security.

Yamasato's mother was able to pull her from under the car.

"It might’ve been mama and dogs out here physically, but God saved our baby," Scoggins said.

First responders arrived within minutes of the attack. Yamasato suffered puncture wounds on her back and the right side of her hand, and one of her pinky fingers is fractured. The toddler also has scratches all over her body, Scoggins said.

Doctor visits will be plentiful for Yamasato, who will eventually have a cast put on her hand. She also must get a series of rabies shots.

Even so, Scoggins said Yamasato is doing fine. She was released Monday from an Atlanta hospital.

Scoggins surmised the bobcat was an adult, weighing about 40–50 pounds. She said while bobcat sightings are normal for the populated area, they typically do not interact with humans.

The bobcat has not yet been caught though she believes it may have been spotted Saturday walking down a road, behavior she said is unusual for bobcats.

"They keep their distance," she said. "We keep ours."

Scoggins said none of the grandchildren are allowed to be outside at the moment as a safety measure.

She warns local residents to exercise precaution to avoid bobcats.

"Pay attention," she said. "Watch your babies. Watch your animals."

Scoggins started a GoFundMe, with a $1,000 goal, to help with Yamasato's recovery and expenses associated with traveling to doctor visits.