Bobcat on the loose: Animal attacks 2 children, 2 dogs in Georgia in separate incidents

Officials in northeast Georgia are warning the public to be on alert after a bobcat attacked two children and two dogs in four separate incidents.

Oglethorpe County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Cody Gibbs told USA TODAY crews received reports of an aggressive bobcat on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the area of Winterville, a rural community just outside of Athens.

The children, a boy and a girl, were playing outside when they were attacked in separate incidents at homes less than a quarter mile away from one another, Gibbs said.

The attacks, Gibbs said, took place within 15-30 minutes of each other.

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Two children and two dogs attacked

The girl suffered non life-threatening injuries including scratches and a single bite in the attack, Gibbs said, and first responders transported her to a local hospital for treatment.

Oglethorpe County EMS Director Jason Lewis told USA TODAY the boy suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Lewis also says that it is not known if the bobcat is rabid but both children were treated as though it was a possibility.

“Regarding the boy being attacked, we heard about it while we were on scene with the female victim," Gibbs said.

Two dogs were also attacked the night prior in the same area, Gibbs said.

At this time, the conditions of the dogs are unknown.

"We suspect it's the same animal that attacked all of them," Gibbs said noting that both descriptions given by the parents of the children attacked matched. “Definitely a strange set of circumstances."

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Bobcat remains at large

The bobcat remains at large as of Monday, Gibbs said, and no additional attacks or sightings had taken place in the location where the attacks took place.

"If you live in that area, we ask you to be mindful of your surroundings and to please keep a close eye on your children when they are outside," the agency wrote in a Facebook post.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Health, the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office and Oglethorpe County EMS have all been notified of the attack, the agency wrote.

What should you do if you see a bobcat?

According to AZ Animals, bobcats are native to North America and can also be found as far south as Southern Mexico and as far north as Southern Canada. They generally weigh about twice as much as a large housecat with males averaging 18 to 35 pounds and females averaging 30 pounds.

They do not typically attack humans, but can be dangerous when they are startled or feel threatened.

Here's what experts say to do if you see a bobcat:

• Do not run.
• Do not approach it.
• Do not turn your back on it. Instead, slowly back away from the bobcat.
• Throw water at the bobcat. (Cats do not like water).
• Make as much noise as possible or bang anything you have on you together.

Anyone who sees a bobcat in a residential or developed area should animal control.

Contributing: Caitlin McLean

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.