A bobcat strolling near Deerpath Road and Route 109 last week was enough to get Dedham Animal Control on the phone and into warning mode. The town told residents the wild cat looked like it was just passing through, but urged people to lock down yards and cut down on the chances of any close encounters.
Where It Was Seen
According to Boston.com, Dedham Animal Control received a report of a bobcat walking in the area of Deerpath Road and Route 109 and followed up with guidance for locals on Facebook. The department noted that Dedham and neighboring towns already have a known bobcat population and said, “We’ve had a few documented bobcat sightings” in recent years.
Why Bobcats Are More Visible Now
MassWildlife says February and March are peak bobcat mating months, which means these usually secretive animals tend to move around more and may wander closer to suburbs. The agency also reports that bobcats are expanding into eastern parts of Massachusetts, but stresses that run-ins with people are still rare.
How To Reduce Encounters
In its guidance, animal control laid out a simple checklist for residents: remove outdoor food sources, block off open crawl spaces under decks and sheds, cap chimneys, and keep a close eye on pets or leash them when they are outside. The town also urged people not to feed or approach wildlife at all and to report any sick, injured, or aggressive animals to local authorities. Residents can contact the animal control office through the Town of Dedham to get more information or report a sighting.
Regional Trend
Dedham is not the only town seeing spotted visitors. Similar reports have cropped up in nearby communities over the past year, prompting other local officials to share their own safety tips. In Norwood, for example, animal control offered advice on avoiding wildlife after bobcat sightings in the area, according to WBZ NewsRadio.
