HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Parents in Locust Grove are concerned about their children’s safety while trick-or-treating this Halloween after reports of a large bobcat or cougar wandering the neighborhood.
The sightings of the wild cat have been reported by residents, and the animal has been captured on video, Channel 2’s Tom Regan learned.
Neighbors have also heard high-pitched sounds coming from the woods at night, adding to the concern.
“With Halloween tomorrow and everybody trick-or-treating, I’m just nervous,” said Lindsey Walker, a resident of the neighborhood. “I want to get the word out there, so parents are aware of what could be lurking in the woods or walking around the neighborhood.”
Brian Harper said the neighborhood watch app post caught everyone off guard, prompting him to take extra precautions when taking his kids out for Halloween.
“We will stay in a group, we won’t do any individual walking around,” he said.
Lindsey Walker reported that the wild animal came within 50 yards of her home and described hearing bone-chilling screams at night.
The Department of Natural Resources analyzed photos sent by a neighbor and concluded that the animal appears to be a large bobcat.
Ben McCullar, Urban Wildlife Manager at DNR, stated that bobcats are not known to be aggressive toward people.
McCullar advised residents to keep their dogs on a leash when out at night and recommended scaring off the bobcat if it approaches.
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