Rabid Bobcat Attacks Wildlife Officer [VIDEO]

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Authorities have issued a 60-day rabies alert on the heels of two separate bobcat attacks within a four-mile area in East Venice, Florida, this past week.

One of the attacks was caught on tape by homeowner Karen Morse after the feline ran into her home. Thankfully, her son managed to trap the bobcat in the sun room, giving them enough time to call authorities.

The video starts just after wildlife officers arrive on the scene, and — as you can see — the bobcat is extremely aggressive, lunging and latching on to one of the officers’ arms before being subdued.

We aren’t afraid of housecats, but we’ve had enough run-ins with feral cats to know that they are capable of doing some real damage, despite their size. Now, imagine you’re being attacked by a giant 30-pound feral cat that has all its claws.

Pretty scary.

The officer, homeowner Karen Morse, and a man involved in the other bobcat attack will now be required to undergo rabies treatment, which involves getting a series of incredibly painful injections into the abdomen with a long needle.

The Department of Health alerted all residents in the area to the presence of rabies in the wild animal population, and warned that unvaccinated pets are at the highest risk of contracting the virus.

From the Floridahealth.gov website:

“Some actions people and their families can take to prevent from being exposed to rabies include avoiding direct contact with wildlife, not feeding wildlife, consulting with a veterinarian to ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations, and supervising pets and young children while outside. If you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, contact your health care provider and your county health department right away. If an exposure occurred, there is effective treatment that can prevent infections in people if administered in a timely manner.”

Stay safe!