Family Returns Home To Discover Bobcat Curled Up In Their Dog’s Bed

Mar 13, 2023 by apost team

While there is wildlife aplenty in temperate Arizona – home to the coyote, prairie dog, Gila monster and roadrunner – residents don’t often find them inside their homes. However, one homeowner was stunned to find a bobcat not only inside the house but relaxing in their dog’s bed.

On Mar. 7, 2023, the Arizona Game and Fish Department shared photos of the feline snuggling in a fluffy dog bed in the San Manuel residence. It said the wild animal was believed to have entered the home through a doggie door. The department captioned the photos:

“A bobcat lounges on a dog bed in San Manuel home Mon. The homeowner, who found it upon returning from work, suspects it entered through an unlocked doggie door. The bobcat escaped before an officer arrived. Don’t handle entrapped/hurt wildlife yourself.”

According to the department, bobcats are commonly found in Arizona and are classified as “predatory.” Bobcats are known to attack small animals, particularly prey such as chickens, and tend to return to areas they know food is accessible. However, they are not considered a threat to humans. 

“You may choose to watch and enjoy a bobcat or bobcat family sharing your yard. However, if you have small pets or livestock, you may want to discourage the bobcat from coming onto your property. Remember, it is always a good idea to keep wildlife wild,” the department advised. 

Unfortunately for the San Manuel homeowners, the bobcat’s sojourn in their house came at a heavy cost to their pet dog Squeakers. The two animals had come to blows and poor Squeakers did not manage to walk away unscathed.

A day after its initial tweet about the bobcat, the department shared a photo of the injured Squeakers with a cone around its neck and directed concerned members of the public to the poor pup’s Instagram page. There, his family shared photos that showed the full extent of the injured Squeakers sustained in his confrontation with the vicious bobcat, which included long and deep cuts down his side that needed stitches. His family also set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for his substantial veterinary bill, which came up to $3,300. 

“My name is Squeakers and I was attacked by a bobcat yesterday. I survived but was seriously injured and am in need of surgery. My goal is $3,300.00 to cover medical expenses to help my owners cover the costs. Any overages will be donated to a local charity to help other people and animals in need that cannot afford it. Thank you!” the description on the fundraising page read.

As of Mar. 12, 2023, Squeakers managed to raise more than $5,800.

More photos on Squeakers’ Instagram account showed him recuperating in a new doggie bed nestled in a comfy blanket. “I’m home relaxing in a new bed and taking it easy while I heal up.” the caption read. Another photo showed him finally out and about outside and was captioned:

“Spent some time in the sunshine yesterday. Walking around getting better each day.”

Squeakers’ new fans were quick to offer words of encouragement and praised the good boy for keeping his chin up. One user wrote:

“Poor baby 😭 Sending him all the hugs and kisses and I hope he heals quickly! He deserves all the treats for being a champ during all of this. ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

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Animals are such majestic creatures but can also be quite scary! What’s the scariest wild animal you’ve ever come across? Let us know and be sure to pass this along to all the animal lovers you know.