Posted on 04/01/2005 11:25:24 AM PST by aomagrat
Bobbie Hardee, 63, had the fright of her life Wednesday morning.
The Horry County woman fought off a rabid bobcat outside her home with a garden hoe for more than 15 minutes until a neighbor came and shot it.
"I didn't have time to get scared. I was out there and didn't know what else to do," she said.
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for animals acting strangely or aggressively, especially wild animals approaching humans.
It's more common in the spring for people to run into rabid animals because people are outside more, said Vicki Blair, DHEC's rabies control coordinator. The area has not seen an unusually high number, but DHEC officials determined Thursday that the bobcat Hardee fought in Horry County had the fatal disease.
"It's always something people should be on the lookout for," she said.
Hardee lives near Nichols, where she had puppies in her yard that the bobcat seemed to be pursuing. Hardee went outside when she heard her other dogs barking.
"[If I went inside], I knew he would kill my dogs, and I just couldn't," she said.
"And the Lord was with me. [The bobcat] could have jumped in my face."
Blair recommends people call animal control if an animal acts strangely or aggressively. People also should watch out for nocturnal animals that are coming out in the daytime, she said.
"People need to know this has happened and this can happen, and it's not necessarily a rural problem," Blair said.
S.C. is pretty anti-gun isn't it?
Ping
or at least a hoe
"Honey, why did you buy that M1A?"
"Because you never can tell when you'll have to fight a rabid bobcat."
Hey, I've used lamer excuses to buy guns.
I don't think so?
Another turf protector. Refuses to give the most sensible advice out there...shoot the damn things!
In Massachusetts you need a firearms permit for pepper spray. I have had one for 10 years just to take with me when I walk my dog.
Someone wiser than me suggested wasp killer,which I'm going to get----no permit needed.
Thank God it wasn't an assault hoe.
Not really, We have "Shall Issue" CWP, no waiting periods, instant background check, no limits on the amount of guns you can buy, no local governments can enact their own anti-gun laws, no AWB, no "duty to retreat" on your own property, etc.
Thankfully, there aren't too many of those left on the streets. Their pimps can be pretty nasty, though. :^)
LOL!! I owned a '79 Bobcat once. Once.
They're the only southern state that doesn't honor or reciprocate with Florida on CCW permit holders.
Most dept stores and malls ban your CCW rights.
S.C. won't issue out of state permits.
S.C bans CCW at churches, hospitals, doctor's etc.
CCW in private residences is prohibited without expressed permission by the legal owner.
Even restaurants are banned is they serve one alcholic drink.
ETC.
Pretty anti-gun to me.
It may not be a reliable personal defense weapon.
She better damn well not have hurt that cat!
Don't ever forget -- test fire regularly.
Wow.... quite a story.
Ridiculous.
I just want to make them run like hell,don't care if it kills them.
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