Saddlebrooke man attacked by bobcat believed to be infected with rabies

A Saddlebrooke man received treatment for rabies after a bobcat believed to be infected with the disease attacked him Wednesday morning.

Mark Hart, a spokesperson for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said the bobcat attacked the man while he was sitting on his porch near Flower Ridge Drive at about 8:23 a.m., scratching him on his right leg and left arm, drawing blood. Hart said bobcat attacks are extremely rare and usually happen because the animal is in the late stages of rabies.

Hart said the man was taken to a hospital in Oro Valley for rabies treatment, as the disease is transferable through scratches and bites.

Anyone who sees a bobcat in the area that's acting irrationally should notify the department at 623-236-7201.

Hart said the bobcat would have to be euthanized, as the rabies infection had likely advanced too much for treatment. He urged anyone attacked by an animal to seek medical treatment, as it's likely the animal is rabid and rabies is quite dangerous if left untreated.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Saddlebrooke man attacked by bobcat believed to be infected with rabies