greenfrog Loc: Central NJ

Deputy bravely offers help to injured bobcat in Florida and gets unexpected reaction
Mark Price

Wounded animals are notoriously vicious, so it was with great risk that a sheriff’s office deputy in Florida picked up an injured bobcat and put it in his patrol car.

What happened next left commenters slack-jawed on social media.

A photo shared by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office shows the predator willingly curled up in deputy Vincent Lopez’s arms like a 30-pound house cat.

“He was able to get this stunning fur baby to safety and transport him to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital where he reportedly will make a full recovery!” the sheriff’s office reported in a Jan. 7 Facebook post.

So how did Lopez avoid getting “shredded,” as one Facebook commenter put it?

“Due to the bobcat’s injuries, the animal was docile and surrendered to the help the deputy was providing,” the Lee County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News in an email.

Lopez, who joined the department in 2021, used heavy-duty gloves and a blanket, but was largely vulnerable to the predator’s claws and teeth.

Commenters on the Facebook photo have marveled at how calm the bobcat appeared as the deputy carried it to his patrol vehicle.

“Amazing that it’s not fighting him,” Bonnie Covey said.

“He’s lucky that he’s walking away without a scratched up face and body, but for that poor baby to be so relaxed like that he must’ve been feeling extremely bad!” Jonathan Motte posted.

It’s suspected the bobcat was struck by a vehicle Jan. 7 near the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and Interstate 75, the sheriff’s office says.

A nearby resident was the first to report it lying in the road, with its back legs appearing to be immobile.

The bobcat was transferred to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Lee County. Clinic staff have not returned messages seeking an update on the wild cat’s prognosis as of Jan. 9.

Lee County is about 130 miles southeast of Tampa.
Link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/deputy-bravely-offers-help-injured-125248515.html

It’s amazing what our deputies come across while out keeping our great residents safe… all in a days work. Happy Sunday, Lee County!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Lucky cat, hope it recovers fully!

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Wow 😮

Scudrnr Loc: Hancock, Wisconsin

Thanks to the deputy for risking his well-being to rescue an injured animal.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Great story Frog, and nice job Vincent!

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

That is such a nice story.

Opie G. Loc: Berksco Pa

Great story GF. Reminds me of the time just a couple of years ago I was delivering fertilizer to a farm and I drove up a dirt road to a dumping spot and at the top of the hill I could see a big fox, looked like he had his head in a hole. As I got closer I realized that he was in a jaw trap. Got his front leg just above the ankle. He ran in circles, so I talked softly to him and he seemed to understand that I wasn’t going to hurt him. I covered him with my coat, worked the trap open,and uncovered him. He just looked at me,and I had to shoo him off. Didn’t look like he was any worse for wear,as he tore across the field. No witnesses, but my heart felt great, even though I’m a hunter, I couldn’t let this animal go out that way. Next delivery, I was followed by someone in a pickup up to the dump spot, but was never questioned about anything, even though the trap had been sprung with nothing in it

greenfrog Loc: Central NJ

Opie G. Thanks for posting that. I really enjoyed reading that.