Bobcats are living and killing pets in Suburbs across USA

[Sarajmt]

PLEASE!  If you allow your pets to stay out all night, please start bringing them in.  I used to let mine out as well and I've paid the price.  I can only imagine the horror my poor Mousey felt as he was being mauled by a bobcat for food.  I don't think I'll ever get over the guilt.  If I'd only known.  If only.

Pets are easy prey for bobcats.  Do not leave food out either.  These bobcats are only trying to feed their young.  They aren't monsters.  They are wild animals who need to be moved to more suitable locations.  I feel sorry for them but at the same time, we can't allow our pets to become bobcat food.


Bobcats Move into Dallas Neighborhood

Published : Thursday, 29 Jul 2010, 6:38 PM CDT

    * Emily Lopez

      Emily Lopez
      FOX 4 News

Adapted for Web by Tracy DeLatte, myFOXdfw.com

DALLAS - Wild cats have moved into one far north Dallas neighborhood. They’re making some residents a little nervous.

Residents in the Le Louvre subdivision near Carrollton and the President George Bush Turnpike said their homes back up to a creek and wildlife corridor. So it’s not the first time they’ve seen bobcats.

But this time a mother cat has decided to raise her kittens in Angie Martlik’s backyard.

“She showed up a week ago and at the time we didn’t know she had babies,” she said.

Every morning the mother bobcat starts out in Martlik’s yard and then ends up with the kittens next door.

She often makes herself comfortable on a porch. She keeps her distance and she watches the residents while they watch her.

“Honestly I don’t want them to pick her up if they’re just going to euthanize them. I don’t think it’s fair to the animals. She’s just trying to raise her babies,” Martlik said.

But so is she. Martlik has been keeping her two children indoors while the bobcats are in their yard.

Those who don’t have children aren’t as concerned.

“I mean, I enjoy it. It’s less of a reminder you’re in a big city,” said Jeffery Cooper.

Martlik, like the feline, is wary.

“I’m not going to take a chance with my kids,” she said.

Link to this story with video:  http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/072910-bobcats-move-into-dallas-neighborhood

More Links about bobcats in YOUR neighborhood:  
http://www.crosstimberswildlife.org/
http://nbrr.org/
http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_bobcat.shtml

[PrettyKitty1]

I live in Fl. I have sen Bob Cats in my own yard multiple times. But my cats go out supervised, for 10 minutes at most and never at night.

I have no idea what may be going on that is making these cats eat our own. It was always my understanding that Bob Cats were not interested in eating house cats. Do you think men are killing their food so they have to get whatever else they see and is left, including our pets?

This is very scary. We have a lot of Bob Cats (cute ones by the way) around. I have seen babies with their moms too, looking for food. But we have tons of squirrels, raccoons and wild bunnies around here.

Poor Mousey....I'm so sorry about your beautiful kitty Sara :-( I read your journal and it made me so sad :(

[April2]

Living in Colorado we've been told to not even leave small pets in the back of a yard during the day, whether it's fenced or not. This is mainly for those living against the mountains. We have mountain lions that have been known to carry off small dogs out of yards. They also will go after cats or anything smaller and weaker than them.
We don't have a problem with coyotes but do have wolves here too.

[Sarajmt]

Thank you for mentioning the coyotes.  I forgot about them.  We have a coyote problem all through our city.  More and more pets, especially small dogs and cats, are being killed by them.   I'm even careful with my Golden and she is a big girl but not at all vicious.  But is an inside dog anyway.  She likes to be wherever we are.

[dominosarah]

All my babies are watched during the day too.  We have some dogs that are very vicious in the area that are not watched and will come into our yards so i am extra careful about letting them out for very long.

We are having a problem out in the country with Coyotes.  

Thanks for the reminder~~~~