From the Rye Police Department:
The Rye Police Department has recently received reports of bobcat sightings in the area. Bobcats are native to New York and, while generally secretive and seldom seen, can occasionally be observed in suburban areas.
If you encounter a bobcat, wildlife officials recommend:
• Keep your distance and do not approach or attempt to feed the animal.
• Make noise and slowly back away, giving the bobcat plenty of space to leave the area.
• Keep small pets indoors or properly restrained, particularly when wildlife has been observed nearby.
• Never attempt to capture, handle, or corner a bobcat.
Bobcat attacks on people are extremely rare, and sightings alone are generally not a cause for alarm.
Residents who observe a bobcat are encouraged to report the sighting to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Sightings help wildlife biologists monitor bobcat distribution and populations throughout New York.
For additional information about bobcats, to report a sighting, and to view New York State’s Bobcat Management Plan, visit:
NYSDEC – Bobcat