Women Attacked By Feral Cat In East Hartford: Animal Control

EAST HARTFORD, CT — The local animal control department is investigating an incident last week in which a feral cat, possibly rabid, may have attacked two women.

According to East Hartford Animal Control, the incident happened in the area of Wakefield Circle on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 16.

That's when, animal control officials said, a "young woman" was walking a dog and was attacked by a "stray/feral or outdoor cat."

Officials said another woman was walking her dog and tried to come to the aid of the other dog walker and "may have also been bitten."

"We are hoping to identify and speak with this woman as soon as possible," wrote animal control officials on social media.

While the department did not mention "rabies" specifically, it did mention the possibility of any "virus," and it sought to identify the second woman who may have been attacked.

East Hartford Animal Control indicated a non-rabid animal could also attack if it feels threatened.

"This post was not created for a debate or to create fear for the community cat population, but one of concern for the well-being of both the humans injured and the health of the cat," wrote animal control.

"Contrary to what many may believe, a sick or injured animal may perceive the dog walker and the dog as a threat when normally it would retreat," continued the town's animal control department.

"We would like to make certain the stranger who helped the young lady is OK, and we are attempting to identify the cat involved."

East Hartford Animal Control stopped short of saying "rabies," the nearly always fatal illness, adding "should this cat be ill with any virus, it needs to be treated appropriately to prevent further spread to other owned or community cats, dogs, and wildlife."