Washington homeowner hears mysterious banging, calls 911 before police find growling bobcat at top of stairs
Bobcat Invades Washington Home; Police Safely Contain and Release the Wild Cat
A quiet evening in Kirkland’s Moss Bay neighborhood turned into a wildlife spectacle when a bobcat made itself at home in a private residence. The incident, which occurred last week, prompted a 911 call from a homeowner who reported hearing unexplained noises inside her house. Police arrived to find a bobcat perched on the staircase, growling, and the homeowner’s cat unharmed.
The homeowner, who prefers to remain anonymous, called 911 after hearing what she described as “banging” inside her home. According to the Kirkland Police Department, officers were dispatched to a single-family house in the Moss Bay area. On arrival, officers observed a bobcat in the living area, climbing the staircase and emitting a low growl.
“From the outside, it looked like a burglar,” one officer explained. “It was actually a bobcat, which had somehow entered the house.” To keep the animal and the occupants safe, police used a drone to monitor the bobcat’s movements from a distance. This allowed officers to maintain a safe perimeter while wildlife officials arranged a plan for containment.
The bobcat was calmly escorted into an isolated room where it was secured by police officers. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified and arrived with a team of wildlife specialists. The animal was sedated by the specialists, a routine procedure that ensures both the safety of the animal and the people in the house.
Once sedated, the bobcat was transported to a nearby location on Forbes Creek, close to the natural habitat where it had originally been found. Wildlife officials released the animal there, following standard protocols for the return of displaced wildlife. “We aimed to return the bobcat to its natural environment as soon as possible,” said an official from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
No injuries were reported, neither to the homeowner, the responding police officers, nor to the bobcat. The homeowner’s cat was also unharmed and was later found safe inside the house.
While the exact path the bobcat took into the home remains uncertain, police speculate that it may have climbed a nearby tree and jumped through an open window. “Bobcats are known to be curious and can be attracted by the scent of pets,” the police department said. “It’s possible the animal was drawn in by the resident’s cat.”
The incident has prompted officials to issue a warning to local residents. “We strongly advise people never to approach or feed a bobcat,” the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stated. They added that pet owners should keep cats and small pets indoors, especially during dusk and dawn, and secure any livestock or poultry to prevent attracting wildlife.
This event is a reminder of the growing frequency of wildlife encounters in suburban areas. While most interactions between residents and bobcats end peacefully, they underscore the importance of respecting wildlife and taking precautions to prevent unwanted visits.
Residents of Kirkland and surrounding communities are encouraged to stay informed about local wildlife activity and to follow the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recommendations on pet safety and wildlife avoidance.
