Related To Story  Arizona Department Game and Fish |
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PHOENIX -- A rabid mountain lion like the one pictured attacked a 10-year-old boy north of Phoenix on Saturday, before being shot to death by a family member, said Randy Babb of the Arizona Department Game and Fish.
"The family was riding all-terrain vehicles, took a break and while relaxing, an adult female mountain lion attacked the boy," Babb said.
The boy was lucky to have suffered only minor scratches to his back, Babb said.
The incident occurred in the Tonto National Forest in an area called Sheep Bridge in the extreme southeast corner of Yavapai County.
The region is on the back side of the Mazatzal Mountains, a rugged mix of desert chaparral and pinyon-juniper vegetation, according to Tom Cadden, public information officer for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"One of the adults shot the animal and transported it back to their residence," Babb said.
The mountain lion was then submitted to the Arizona State Health Laboratory for testing. The boy and several others who may have been exposed to the cat will undergo preventative rabies treatment over the next few weeks, Babb said.
"Very seldom ever to see large mammals with rabies," according to Babb. "They're more common in bats, skunks and gray foxes. We're not expecting to see any more animals this large with rabies."
Babb stressed the attack was mostly likely an isolated incident.
So far this year, 14 animals have tested positive for rabies at the ADHS State Health Laboratory, including two others in the last week -- a coatimundi from the Oracle area and a rabid fox from the Clifton area. There were no human exposures in those cases, but three dogs were exposed to the rabid fox.
At least 27 pets have been exposed to rabid animals this year, according to Game & Fish officials.
"It is imperative for pet owners to immunize their animals against rabies and to ensure that these vaccinations are kept up to date," said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Elisabeth Lawaczeck.
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