Cat people here will know that getting those murder mittens to move is risky business. As dangerous as being a cat owner is, it’s nothing compared to the risk some Colorado police officers faced trying to lure out a wild bobcat from its home; luckily, they had the good old laser pointer, except this time the laser pointers were from their tasers.
The incident took place in Ken Caryl, Colorado, where a homeowner had to call the authorities for help. Turns out a wild bobcat had chosen to “adopt” a human’s home and has since been perching all lordlike in its newfound kingdom. The sheriff came in, and the distressed lady quickly pointed out the bobcat’s improvised throne. Calling the wildlife department for professional catchers would take too much time, which is why a Jeffco County Sheriff hatched a genius improvisation:
“Yo guys, look at this thing. Here kitty kitty. Well, I’m gonna see if he chases the lasers. I don’t know, cats like lasers. Cats are all the same. They all like the same thing. Here little kitty kitty…” according to a Jeffco Sheriff police.
As brilliant as the plan sounds, it did not work. The laser pointer from the sheriff’s tasers had no effect on the wild bobcat, and it stayed put, staring and judging the measly humans for their feeble attempt to usurp its throne.
Luckily for the Ken Caryl homeowner. The bobcat eventually decided to leave on its own and went out through the house’s back door. No one was harmed in the process of the wild bobcat’s eviction as it decided to leave on its own terms, according to the Jeffco County sheriffs.
Cats Don’t Take Orders from Humans
While Colorado bobcats are much smaller than your usual mountain lion or cougar, they still run the risk of carrying rabies, and contact should still be avoided. Attempting to handle a wild one on your own is not exactly a wise idea.
As usual, plenty of cat experts online chimed in on the matter, especially with how the Jeffco County cops should’ve handled the bobcat extraction. Some online users have mentioned that the cops should’ve used a red laser since the lasers on tasers are green and apparently cats don’t see green light very well (at least not as well as humans do).
Some of the more veteran cat owners have also recommended the good old method of calling cats. Others have praised the police who responded, stating that they’re probably cat owners themselves since luring out the wild bobcat with lasers would’ve been the first thing that came to mind.
“I mean, I don’t hate the attempt. If the first thing in your mind is a completely hands-off approach that is all about making the bobcat leave under its own power, go for it,” says LCJonSnow
“To be completely honest, as a cat owner myself, this would probably be my first thought too. It’s really funny that they did this, but also a totally reasonable first attempt at getting the animal out easily and safely,” according to Krinks1
“They should have gone with pspsps,” suggests DruidicMagic