SOUTHBURY, CT – According to WTNH, a man and a woman were injured in a bobcat attack in Southbury. The baboon initially attacked a dog on Monday night.
The baboon then follows the dog into the garage where it attacks the woman’s female owner. According to WTNH, a man entered the garage and pulled the baboon off his wife.
The baboon bit the man’s arm and he hit it in the ground and then hit it with a firewood until the animal died.
Southbury police, the animal control officer and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection were called to the house where they found the baboon dead in the driveway, according to WFSB.
The woman sustained injuries to her head and shoulders. The man sustained injuries to his arm. The dog sustained minor injuries and was taken to a veterinarian, WFSB reported.
The couple receive rabies treatments.
Bobcats are the only feral cat found in Connecticut, and the most common feral cat in North America, according to a fact sheet by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in Connecticut.
The wild cats rarely attack humans, but humans are advised to stay away from baboons and make a lot of noise to scare them off.
Southbury police say the baboon attack took place in the shopping area and the animal tested positive for rabies.
“Although it was a rare and isolated incident, it is important that residents are aware of it,” police said. “Fortunately, the dog was aware of her rabies vaccination and the owners started their rabies vaccination series.”
Police said the dog was locked up for 45 days and needs to recover. If the pet did not have a rabies vaccination, she may have been placed in a six-month quarantine, or even forcibly subjected to euthanasia, as rabies virus is a public health and safety issue, police said.
“It serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations for pets,” police said. “Animal Control asks owners to make sure all pets, inside and out, are aware of their rabies vaccination. Animal Control wants to remind pet owners to keep an eye on their pets and to be careful not to leave them unattended while they are outside. outside or walking, it is recommended that a second person accompany you and wear an air horn. ‘
Some common symptoms of rabies can be unexplained aggression, running problems and excess saliva.