Possibly Rabid Bobcat Attacked Dog In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ —Less than 24 hours after a bobcat broke into a family’s home, a possibly rabid bobcat attacked a dog, Washington Township Police said in a statement.

A bobcat attacked a dog in a Coleman Road backyard on Thursday, police said. The homeowner was home, and took the dog to the veterinarian before police arrived. When police got to the home, just before 6 p.m., they were unable to find the bobcat.

Half an hour later, a Naughtright Road homeowner called police to report a bobcat on their property. Police found the bobcat inside a barn and isolated it until the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation officer arrived.

The bobcat was captured and was showing early signs of a possible rabies infection, the conservation officer said. It was removed for observation and testing.

Less than 24 hours earlier, a bobcat sneaked into a Long Valley family's home, trapping them in the bathroom. The bobcat left through an open window less than an hour after police were called to the home. (Read more here.)

Washington Township Police Lt. Douglas Compton told Patch they couldn't definitively say if the bobcat was the same in both incidents.

"All residents are still encouraged to take precautions and contact us if they have any other contact with any wild animals," Compton said.

Image via DGriebeling, Flickr

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