GRAYSON COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE (10/29/2021 4:49 p.m.)
The bobcat that attacked multiple people, as well as animals, has tested positive for rabies, according to the Mount Rogers Health District.
This comes after the cat attacked two men and a woman on Wednesday at about 6:40 p.m. Authorities say the incident happened in the Mouth of Wilson area of the county, on Fox Creek Road.
Officers report that the bobcat also attacked some cattle and a dog in the area.
On Thursday morning, the bobcat was hit and killed by a vehicle driving on Fox Creek Road. The animal was then transported to the health department for examination and testing.
The next day the large male bobcat tested positive for rabies. Health officials say it may have been infectious and active in the area for several days.
Anyone who has had contact with a suspicious bobcat or who has pets that have had contact with should contact the Grayson County Health Department at 276-773-2961.
UPDATE (10/29/2021)
The man authorities say was hospitalized after a bobcat attacked him is now at home recovering, according to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.
According to authorities, the attack happened on Wednesday at about 6:40 p.m. in the Mouth of Wilson area of the county, on Fox Creek Road. Two men and a woman were attacked in the incident.
Officers report that a man ended up in a wrestling match with the cat after he grabbed its rear legs. In the end, the man sustained serious wounds to his legs and arms and had to be flown to Bristol Regional Medical Center.
We were told that the man is now home recovering from his injuries. The second man involved in the attack was treated for minor injuries. Authorities did not disclose the condition of the woman attacked by the cat.
In addition, the bobcat also attacked some cattle and a dog in the area and even tried to enter a house through an open door, per officers.
On Thursday morning, the bobcat was hit and killed by a vehicle driving on Fox Creek Road. The animal was then transported to the health department for examination and testing.
Authorities say it is extremely unlikely to be attacked by a bobcat and asked anyone who observes animals out during the day that don’t run off right away to contact animal control or the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Wildlife conflict helpline at 855-571-9003.
ORIGINAL (10/28/2021)
A bobcat attacked two people, as well as animals on Wednesday in Grayson County, according to a Facebook post by the Mouth Rogers Health District.
The attacks happened in the Mouth of Wilson area of the county, on Fox Creek Road, according to the post.
WXII, the NBC-affiliate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, talked with Grayson County Sheriff Richard Vaughn, who said the bobcat attacked two people, a dog and cattle.
Vaughan told them the attack happened at about 6:30 p.m. and that one of the two victims had to be flown to the hospital for treatment.
“Residents in the area were warned to be on the lookout for the bobcat and to shoot it if possible,” the sheriff said Thursday.