Roger Mundell Jr., bears cuts on his face at his home in Brookfield, Mass., Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, after being attacked by a bobcat in his garage Sunday. The cat ran out of the garage and bit Mundell’s 15-year-old nephew on the arms and back before it was shot dead. (AP Photo/The Telegram & Gazette, Christine Peterson)
SOUTHWICK – A bobcat attack in nearby Brookfield has some people concerned, but Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root said residents should not panic.
“Bobcats are very elusive animals,” said Root. “They’re afraid of us. They don’t like humans.”
Root said she has seen just two bobcats in Southwick in the past 10 years, one of which was passing through her property.
In Brookfield, a man went into his garage to get something and heard a hiss, promptly followed by a bobcat lunging at him and biting him. The animal then ran out of the garage and bit the man’s teenage nephew. The animal was shot after the man and his wife pinned it to the ground.
Root said while there is certainly a chance the cat was rabid, it could have also felt threatened after wandering into the open garage. Root said the best way to protect yourself is to keep your garage and home doors closed and take your pets indoors at night.
“If you see one out during the day, get out of its way,” said Root. “Don’t stop to take a picture – they are wild animals. You don’t know how they are going to react.”
Root said the chance of coming a cross a bobcat, especially in your own garage, is “slim to none.”
If one does find itself in your yard, try to make a way out by opening a gate, for example, and get inside quickly.
“It will leave,” said Root.
If you happen to come across a bobcat, or even a bear, while walking on a trail, Root said the best thing you can do is make some noise, literally.
“Make a loud noise, clap your hands, whatever you can do,” she said, “Wild animals don’t like noise.”
Root said in the rare case of seeing a bobcat, residents should stay calm above all else.
“Don’t panic,” she said.
