Man Kills Rabid Bobcat With Bare Hands

[twyacht]

Tough Dude with a rabid bobcat.  No gun needed, but it would have been handy, but it sounds like he never would have time to draw it.

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/north/story/Man-kills-bobcat-with-bare-hands-during-north/UqOgRN66ike4K2_bNKfrhg.cspx


Man kills bobcat with bare hands during north Phoenix attack
   Reported by: Jay Reynolds

Last Update: 12/17 10:42 am
   

PHOENIX - After being attacked by a bobcat Monday afternoon, a local man reportedly protected himself and killed the cat with his bare hands.

"I felt like it was a life or death situation," said James Gruver.

Just north of the Valley near Lake Pleasant, an Arizona Game and Fish official says Gruver was hooking up his trailer when he looked underneath and the bobcat attacked, knocking him on his back.

"It just came running over and jumped right on top of me," said Gruver.

To protect himself, Gruver reportedly held onto the cat until it died.

"I just got a death grip on it because I thought when I was on the ground this has just gotten real serious," said Gruver.

The bobcat later tested positive for rabies.

Officials say it's rare for an animal living this close to the Phoenix-area to test positive for rabies.

In fact cases of rabies have gone up this year. Last year 184 cases were reported. This year 250 cases have been reported so far.

Arizona Game and Fish want people to be aware that animals affected with rabies sometimes attack without any provocation.

"The animals willl attack anything that comes near them, it could be cars, it could be horses, anything," said Randy Babb with the Game and Fish Department.

James Gruver can attest to that, after witnessing a rabid bobcat attack first hand and living to tell the tale.

***

Another report said he choked the thrashing cat, with a type of "Vulcan Death Grip".

Pretty bad a-- older guy. Slideshow at link.

[TAB]

I see many painful injections in his future.

[r_w]

I see many painful injections in his future.

Not nearly as painful (or as many) as it used to be.

And it beats the alternative.....

[bulldog75]

Could have been worse. That is amazing to have killed a bobcat with your bare hands.

[philw]

Could have been worse. That is amazing to have killed a bobcat with your bare hands.

amasing what you can do  when adrenaline kicks in

[Sponsor]

[callithump]

Never underestimate your neighbors.

[Walter45Auto]

I'm always on the look out for coyotes at work when I take something to the dumpster. YES I work in the city, But I HAVE seen coyotes at that exact highway intersection before. The fact that I work nights, either till 10 PM or 1 AM, helps me keep alert for predators. We even have had skunks out on the grounds, but I never have seen them (A coworker has seen them lots of times. says there's usually 3 or 4 of them at a certain time of night.). Only smelled them.  I always have my hand on the .357 while walking back to the building as I'm scanning for dangerous critters. Hopefully I'll never have to shoot a rabid critter, or even come into contact with one, but the scout motto is Be Prepared. Actually, there's bobcats in the area too, come to think of it......

[ericire12]

He should carry when he goes to get the mail

[MikeBjerum]

This is an example of why we need more than one skill.  Bad guys, and critters, can come form anywhere at anytime, and a single weapon is not always the answer.  If all you know is gun, and a cat comes out from under the trailer at your feet ... you're screwed! 

[1911 Junkie]

Somehow I don't feel impressed. It's just an overgrown house cat.

Call me when he strangles a mountain lion.