A family’s pet dog was attacked by a rabid bobcat in Glocester, R.I. on Wednesday, local authorities said.
The attack occurred on Slavin Path, Glocester police said in a Facebook post.
Larry Desormier said he was upstairs when he heard the commotion in his front yard: His 7-year-old beagle-lab mix, Bailey, was barking and his 16-year-old daughter, Kyla, was screaming for his help.
“It was kind of hectic,” Desormier recalled in an interview with the Globe on Thursday. “I just can’t emphasize how proud I am of my daughter because she broke up the fight.”
Desormier said his daughter threw a chair to disrupt the bobcat’s attack on Bailey, who was tethered in the yard at the time.
Bailey was rushed inside the house, and the bobcat left the yard only momentarily before running underneath Desormier’s porch, he said.
Desormier took out his rifle and, along with police who had arrived on the scene, shot the bobcat dead, he said.
Jennifer Grundy, Glocester’s animal control officer, said a police officer fired the fatal shot.
Police said the animal was later determined to have rabies.
Bailey, whose rabies vaccination is up to date, was brought to Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich and is expected to make a “100 percent recovery,” Desormier said.
“She’s doing very, very well,” he said. “She’s already back to her old self.”
The incident prompted authorities to urge pet owners to “exercise extreme caution” when outdoors.
“Bobcats, though not common attackers of dogs, can become aggressive when threatened or hungry,” police said. “Keep your pets on a leash and avoid wooded areas where bobcats may roam.”
Officials also asked residents to make sure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date, as vaccinated animals “have a better chance of resisting the virus if exposed.”
Additionally, officials reminded pet owners to secure trash cans and to avoid leaving pet food or water outside, so as not to attract wildlife.
“If you encounter any strange or aggressive wildlife, contact local authorities immediately. Call the police or animal control to report sightings or incidents,” officials said.
A viral disease, rabies can be deadly for people should medical care not be received prior to symptoms setting in, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system,” police said. “Prompt medical attention is crucial if bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal. Symptoms may not appear immediately, so vigilance is essential.”
Residents in Glocester who believe their pet may have been exposed to rabies or who would like to report wildlife acting strangely can contact Animal Control at 401-568-3885, police at 401-568-2533, or the Department of Environmental Management at 401-222-3070.
This story has been updated with comments from Larry Desormier and Jennifer Grundy.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.