LAST UPDATED: 3:27 p.m. Monday
Two Oglethorpe County juveniles were attacked by a bobcat last Friday, according to local officials.
“We urge the public to be diligent and be aware of your children while they play outside,” said Cody Gibbs, the public information officer for Oglethorpe County Fire & Rescue.
The attacks were two separate incidents on properties near the intersection of Melton Road and Williams McCurley Road in Winterville.
The first victim’s injuries were unknown, and they were transported by their parents to Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.
The Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department and Oglethorpe County EMS responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. Friday for the second victim. This juvenile had multiple scratches across their body as well as a bite mark on their back. They were transported to St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens by Oglethorpe County EMS.
Gibbs said he believed the second victim has been transferred to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Oglethorpe County Fire & Rescue urges any additional attacks to be reported to local authorities by calling 911.
“We don’t know at this time if the bobcat is rabid or not,” said Gibbs. “Without having the animal, it’s difficult to make that discovery.”