Rabid bobcat attack in NC

[gramps]

The particulars and a video are at link. WARNING foul language employed! :shock:
https://www.wect.com/2021/04/16/watch-nc-man-throws-rabid-bobcat-after-it-attacks-wife-wild-video/?fbclid=IwAR0Du2wzo0mIruXYHNYO_W2x-H4Iu7W4sUEL4WtfpXcX790wx2YchbuFYGg
gramps

 

[contender]

I had heard about this story, but hadn't seen the video.

It's not Disney out there,, and not all critters are like Old Yeller or Cujo.

It's always a potential issue when dealing with animals. Including domestic breeds. Bobcats are usually shy & avoid humans. Anytime one attacks,, there is almost a guarantee there's an issue.

 

[nekvermont]

I had seen that video a few times and hadn't picked up on the fact that he had drawn his carry weapon while chasing the cat. In the uncensored video you can here him say "I'm going to shoot the f...er". Apparently he got it.

 

[gramps]

I heard he wounded it, and responding LEO finished it off. Both the man and his wife received rabies shots prophylactically. You are spot on as usual Contender.

gramps

 

[Jeepnik]

Can't speak to where this fellow lived. But here it's almost impossible to get animal control out to deal with rabid animals. I had to threaten to shoot a rabid raccoon myself before they responded. Funny thing is the sheriff showed up first and offered to do the same before it got away.

 

[contender]

Jeepnik, different states or jurisdictions have different laws about such things. Here in NC,, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission has jurisdiction over all wildlife. As such, normal animal control which is usually handled by a division of the County Sheriff Dept, doesn't handle normal animal calls. HOWEVER,, an immediate threat to human life, or public safety, any LEO can respond & dispatch a potentially dangerous animal.
And, in the case of being attacked by an animal, that could be deemed dangerous,, normal self defense laws also apply.

 

[Jeepnik]

My area is urban. But with many undeveloped hills and canyons. As such we have everything from mountain lions to moles. In the county animal control is responsible for all critters both wild and domestic. But being scared of their own shadow for political reasons they are very slow to respond.

A few years ago, the time of this instance, rabies went through out coyotes and raccoons. Rather than admit to doing nothing about a rabies outbreak they announced it was distemper. And since many pets are already vaccinated and people immune nothing needed to be done.

But ask any vet in the area and they will tell you it wasn’t distemper but was rabies. When finally called on it they stated their people can’t tell the difference between the two diseases. And, they do not regularly test “wild” animals with symptoms to determine what disease they have. It costs too much!

 

[powder smoke]

If something like that happened to Linda and I that critter would be dead one way or another.
Deal with the legality of things later! I'm sure there would be no problems here in rural Maine.
That guy did very well! ps

 

[nekvermont]

I bet bobski could of thrown that cat and shot him before he hit the ground.

 

[contender]

"And, they do not regularly test “wild” animals with symptoms to determine what disease they have. It costs too much!"

That's actually a fairly true statement for most jurisdictions.
BUT,, what's not mentioned,, is they will test for rabies, if they can, IF,, IF,, there is a direct exposure to a human. (Such as in this video.)
I deal with wildlife daily. And any suspected diseased animal is NOT tested unless there has been a direct exposure issue to a human. The expense involved, along with the resources not available to do an all animal testing isn't feasible.
I'm directed by the State to NOT attempt an animal testing for rabies UNLESS there is a potential issue where a human may have been exposed to the possibility of rabies.

 

[gramps]

Several years back, my neighbors were leaving their gated compound, and found two detectives from a neighboring county staking out their driveway. They needed to talk with them regarding an acquaintance. The reason they didn’t enter “ this is Cannon. County and everyone has guns”! Another year passed, the same neighbor called, there was a raccoon in the pasture walking in circles for over an hour. I was at work. It took five phone calls and three hours to get some one to dispatch the animal. Since then, that family bought a couple of handguns and a shotgun. In rural areas we expect to have wildlife problems. This couple appeared to be in a subdivision. Roland Deschain lived in a subdivision, and had his garden raided by deer. Crossbows are wonderful inventions lol
gramps