'Screaming' Rabid Cat Attacks 15 In Neighborhood
POSTED: Friday, January 6, 2006
UPDATED: 10:18 pm EST January 8,
2006
 A rabies alert has been posted for the area bordered by the East-West Expressway, Econlockhatchee Trail, Chickasaw Trail and Lake Underhill Road for 60 days. |
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A rabies alert was issued in an Orange County, Fla., community after a cat making a strange screaming sound attacked at least 15 people and two dogs in a neighborhood.
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Officials said an apartment tenant brought a stray black and white cat into the Cricket Club apartments and then gave it to some friends to watch at a home just north of Rio Pinar.During the stay, the cat became agitated and escaped into the neighborhood, according to the Florida Department of Health news release.As it ran through the community, it bit or scratched about 15 people and several dogs, Local 6 News reported.
"The cat came up from behind us and was screaming," cat attack victim Adam Maul said. "I mean I've never heard a cat scream so loud. The cat ran out from underneath the car and bit me in my ankle."
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"That had to freak you out," Local 6 reporter Mike DeForest said."It was very strange and my first reaction was to just kick it," Maul said.Maul said the cat also jumped his dogs and bit them.One of the victims was able to capture the cat and hold it for Orange County Animal Services.The animal was forwarded to the Florida Department of Health laboratories in Jacksonville, Fla., for examination. Positive results for rabies were returned to the Health Department Thursday night.Maul and 14 other neighbors have begun receiving rabies shots for the bites.Officials believe that because the cat was in the neighborhood for three days with apparent signs of rabies, it may have attacked others or pets.A rabies alert has been posted for the area bordered by the East-West Expressway, Econlockhatchee Trail, Chickasaw Trail and Lake Underhill Road for 60 days.Any one who was bitten or scratched by the black and white cat should call their doctor immediately. Pets attacked by the cat should be taken to their veterinarian for examination and rabies boosters as soon as possible.Unusual acting strays should be reported to Orange County Animal Services at (407) 254-9150.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
MORE: Rabies Q&A FACTS: In Animals WEB: History Officials said an apartment tenant brought a stray black and white cat into the Cricket Club apartments and then gave it to some friends to watch at a home just north of Rio Pinar.During the stay, the cat became agitated and escaped into the neighborhood, according to the Florida Department of Health news release.As it ran through the community, it bit or scratched about 15 people and several dogs, Local 6 News reported.
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IMAGES: More strange stories, images in 2006 IMAGES: Strangest Of 2005 MOST POPULAR: Elmo Book Asks 'Who Wants To Die?' "That had to freak you out," Local 6 reporter Mike DeForest said."It was very strange and my first reaction was to just kick it," Maul said.Maul said the cat also jumped his dogs and bit them.One of the victims was able to capture the cat and hold it for Orange County Animal Services.The animal was forwarded to the Florida Department of Health laboratories in Jacksonville, Fla., for examination. Positive results for rabies were returned to the Health Department Thursday night.Maul and 14 other neighbors have begun receiving rabies shots for the bites.Officials believe that because the cat was in the neighborhood for three days with apparent signs of rabies, it may have attacked others or pets.A rabies alert has been posted for the area bordered by the East-West Expressway, Econlockhatchee Trail, Chickasaw Trail and Lake Underhill Road for 60 days.Any one who was bitten or scratched by the black and white cat should call their doctor immediately. Pets attacked by the cat should be taken to their veterinarian for examination and rabies boosters as soon as possible.Unusual acting strays should be reported to Orange County Animal Services at (407) 254-9150.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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