Greater Boston town issues guidance after bobcat sighting

Local News

“We’ve had a few documented bobcat sightings over the last several years, much like this week’s sighting—a bobcat, minding its own business, simply passing through a property,” said Dedham Animal Control.

Animal control officers in a Greater Boston town instructed its residents on safe wildlife practices after a bobcat sighting was reported.

Dedham Animal Control received a report of a bobcat walking near Deerpath Road and Route 109 last week, animal control officers wrote on Facebook.

The animal control team said that bobcat sightings are not unheard of, as Dedham and its neighboring cities and towns have a “known bobcat population.”

“We’ve had a few documented bobcat sightings over the last several years, much like this week’s sighting—a bobcat, minding its own business, simply passing through a property,” said Dedham Animal Control.

Most residents don’t see many bobcats because the animal is “naturally elusive” and has adapted to avoid humans. However, bobcats do take advantage of the food and shelter that people create, said local officials. 

Animal control officers said that, like coyotes, raccoons, foxes, and skunks, it is also bobcat mating season, which means bobcats will be active and more likely to be seen walking around. 

The town provided some simple safety practices to avoid confrontation with wildlife:

• Embrace a healthy human-wildlife coexistence 
• Maintain seasonal and year-round awareness
• Eliminate outdoor food sources
• Seal off crawl spaces and egresses under decks, porches, and sheds — ahead of the winter season — and make sure not to trap any animals underneath
• Cap chimneys
• Use leashes and closely supervise pets when they are outside.
• Refrain from directly feeding or approaching wildlife.

The town’s animal control said those who see sick, injured, or aggressive animals should report them to animal control.