A rabid stray cat terrorized a north Lakeland neighborhood, biting five people and attacking a puppy before dying under a home, according to reports from Polk County Animal Control.

Incident Details

The state laboratory in Tampa confirmed the animal had rabies on June 12, prompting health officials to urge all victims to seek immediate medical treatment.

Residents in the Glen Road area of north Lakeland contacted animal control officers during the first week of June after a roaming cat began attacking people unprovoked.

Investigators discovered the rabid animal was one of many cats being named and fed by 31-year-old Angelica Perez.

The animal control report details a string of violent encounters across the neighborhood, including a 29-year-old man who was bitten on his legs while at Perez’s home, a 33-year-old woman who was attacked in a neighbor’s yard, and a 16-year-old girl who was bitten on the knee while trying to play with the cat.

Health Department Investigation

Officials have not yet confirmed whether any of the victims have begun showing symptoms or if they have successfully completed their post-exposure medical treatments.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office warns that feeding roaming animals creates a severe threat to public safety, as feral domestic cats are considered an invasive species that carry zoonotic diseases transmissible to humans.

Animal Control Guidance

The sheriff’s office reminds the public to never feed or interact with outdoor animals unless they are certain the pet is spayed, neutered, and vaccinated.

Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.