SOUTHBURY – Animal control officials are warning residents to be careful after two people and their dog were attacked by a rabid lynx this month.
Southbury Animal Control said the attack – which officials called “a rare and isolated incident” – took place on January 4 in the city’s Purchase area.
Authorities said the dog was up to date with rabies vaccination. She was placed in strict 45-day confinement and is expected to recover. Authorities said that if the dog had not received the rabies vaccine, she could have been placed in a six-month quarantine or subjected to mandatory euthanasia.
“This serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination for pets,” said officials.
Dog owners started their vaccine series.
The lynx, who died, tested positive for rabies after the attack.
Some common symptoms of rabies include unprovoked aggression, difficulty walking and excessive salivation, officials said.
“Although it was a rare and isolated incident, it is important for residents to be aware,” officials said.
Animal control officials asked owners to ensure that their pets were up to date with the vaccines and supervised them while they were outside.
Over the years, there have been some encounters with bobcats involving Connecticut residents and pets.
Last summer, a lynx attacked a family dog in Preston and then entered his home, according to Fox61. When they were unable to get the lynx out of the house, officials sacrificed the animal. Lynx tested positive for rabies, according to Day of New London
In December 2019, a 12-year-old boy in Fairfield was in his backyard when he was attacked by what was believed to be a lynx. The animal fled to the forest after the boy suffered a small scratch on his finger and a torn shirt, police said at the time.
In April 2019, a golfer on the Mohegan Sun golf course was injured by a lynx. Authorities said the lynx also attacked a horse. The animal was euthanized and tested positive for rabies.
For more details on Bobcats in Connecticut, visit the DEEP bobcat web page.