New Jersey Couple’s Harrowing Encounter with a Rabid Stray Cat

An elderly couple’s long-time good deed in feeding a stray cat turned into a nightmare when the feline attacked them, revealing a ‘shocking’ scene of blood.

A Routine Gesture Turns Terrifying

For years, the couple in Blairstown Township, New Jersey, had extended their kindness to a stray cat by feeding it regularly. But on October 21, their goodwill was met with a violent turn of events when the cat, afflicted with rabies, launched a vicious attack.

The feral cat, later euthanized after a positive rabies test, left an \\”absolutely shocking\\” amount of blood behind, according to the responding animal control officer.

Blairstown Township Police Department

The following day, October 22, the Blairstown Township Police Department took to Facebook to issue a ‘rabies alert’, acknowledging the unnerving incident. They reported that the officer attending the scene immediately sought the expertise of animal control officer Robert Lagonera to handle the situation.

Addressing the Grave Situation

Robert Lagonera identified himself as the responder who managed to capture the troublesome feline. He explained, \\”The couple had been feeding [the cat] outside for the past several years.\\” Disturbingly, the cat showed signs of a wild animal attack, with facial injuries suggesting a prior struggle.

The amount of blood on their driveway was absolutely shocking knowing that it all came from a cat attack.

Robert Lagonera, Animal Control Officer

Enhancing the public’s awareness, the police’s alert included a crucial advisory from Lagonera, urging residents to be cautious when feeding strays and to never leave cat food unattended. His Facebook PSA provided further grisly details, describing the tabby’s unsettling facial injuries and displaying symptoms of extreme aggression and disorientation, common indicators of rabies.

The Looming Threat of Rabies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe rabies as a “fatal but preventable viral disease,” often transferred through bites or scratches by infected animals. In the U.S., rabies predominantly affects raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes.

I understand we all have a ‘wild cat’ issue in just about every town. We also have a limited space shelter that can not house ferals. But it’s paramount to monitor the feeding.

Robert Lagonera, Animal Control Officer

Lagonera highlighted that raccoons relish cat food, speculating that a ‘food fight’ with one could have led to the cat contracting rabies. He lamented the challenges of curbing the public’s inclination to feed feral cats, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and not leaving food out overnight.

The Deadly Progression of Rabies

Initial symptoms of rabies resemble the flu but quickly escalate within two weeks, leading to severe and often fatal consequences such as anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations. The CDC warns that once clinical signs appear, rabies is nearly always fatal, stressing the importance of preemptive medical care.

Reporting based on the original article; quotes reproduced verbatim.