Local

Report of bobcat sighting in McCandless

MCCANDLESS, Pa. — Authorities are warning McCandless residents after several people have reported seeing a bobcat in the area in the past few days.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission said it is alerting patrols in Ross and McCandless that a bobcat was spotted in the area.

“The bobcat came through here and the hemlocks; right between my fence and the hemlocks,” said Dr. Scott Winkler.

Winkler’s neighbor, Judge Anthony Mariani, also spotted the animal.

“He was just watering these pumpkin plants, and that’s why it came through here and ran flush with the fence,” said Winkler.

Game Commission officials told Channel 11’s Alan Jennings that normally, bobcats will retreat from humans, but they may resist if cornered.

The Game Commission also warned that small pets left unattended outside could be in danger.

Game Commission Officer Dan Puhala said, “The young are just being weaned around this time of the year, so it’s possible there’s a family of them that are living in the area.”

Anyone who sees the bobcat is asked to contact authorities.