Neighbors along North Broadway in Haverhill got an unexpected wildlife sighting over the weekend when a bobcat turned up near Lake Street, according to local reports and police. The animal, noticeably larger than a house cat, was caught on video wandering through nearby yards as residents swapped clips, checked home cameras, and kept an extra eye on their pets.
Police reel puts the bobcat on the map
In a post from Haverhill Police - Official, the department shared a short reel on Monday that shows the bobcat near the intersection of North Broadway and Lake Street. The clip, which identifies the general area of the sighting, quickly drew comments from residents who said they had seen or heard similar activity in the neighborhood.
Why this spot is prime bobcat territory
North Broadway and Lake Street sit along the northern shore of Crystal Lake and border conservation parcels with trails, wetlands, and wooded edges that can support prey like rabbits and rodents. According to the City of Haverhill, the Lake Street area includes trailheads and conservation land that link into a broader network of green space in the northern part of town.
State wildlife officials: bobcats are part of the landscape
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife notes that the bobcat is the only wild cat species found in the state and that populations have been documented moving into eastern Massachusetts in recent years. Encounters with people are still considered uncommon, but the agency says dispersal and breeding movements can bring bobcats closer to suburban edges. Officials advise reporting any bobcat that appears aggressive or sick.
What residents are urged to do
Town and wildlife officials recommend giving the animal plenty of space, not approaching or feeding it, and bringing small pets indoors. Similar guidance accompanied a recent bobcat sighting in Dedham, where neighbors were reminded how to coexist with a wild cat passing through. For local context and an example of town-level advisories, see Bobcat On The Block.
If you see a bobcat in Haverhill, officials say to keep children and pets inside and report the sighting to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or contact Haverhill Police through their non-emergency line. The Division’s living-with-wildlife pages outline steps for reducing attractants and reporting observations, and residents are encouraged to review that guidance for more details.
