Holden Man Kills Bobcat That Attacked Him In Driveway
HOLDEN (CBS) - A Holden man says he was forced to shoot a bobcat that attacked him and is shocked by how authorities responded.
Michael Votruba thought the animal lurking around in his driveway Monday night was his neighbor's cat, but he soon found himself backpedaling and reaching for his pistol.
"I kicked him off twice and he was still coming," said Michael. "That is the first time that I have had to draw my weapon, period."
As he was backing away, he tripped and the 25-pound animal pounced on him.
"He's at my chest pawing at my face and pawing at me," he said.
Michael got off five shots during the brief struggle, which sent the wounded bobcat retreating to the carport. At that point, Michael's girlfriend came outside to check on the commotion.
"He said 'I have just been attacked by a bobcat go get the rifle,'" said his girlfriend Justine.
She got the rifle, and Michael finished off the animal.
Michael says he got the brush off and bad info from Holden Police, Animal Control and the Health Department, which told him he could pay to have the bobcat tested for rabies, or he could just toss the carcass back into the woods.
The Environmental Police are now sorting things out and Michael has already started rabies shots while awaiting test results from the state lab.
The bobcat made a mess of his clothes, but only inflicted a few small scratches on him. He couldn't help but notice that the bobcat had a face full of porcupine quills.
He said, "I'm not sure whether he was rabid or if he was just angry because he messed up when he went to hunt the porcupine."
Maybe both.
