Two People and Several Dogs Being Treated for Rabies After They Were Attacked by Rabid Bobcat

NEED TO KNOW

• New Mexico confirmed its first rabies case of 2026 in a bobcat that attacked several dogs in Sierra County
• The infected bobcat was euthanized and two people exposed to the animal are receiving post-exposure rabies vaccines
• In 2025, New Mexico reported 13 rabies cases in animals including one bobcat with four bobcat cases reported in 2024

Two humans and several dogs are receiving treatment after exposure to a bobcat that tested positive for rabies.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirmed the state’s first case of rabies in 2026 in a news release on Monday, March 16. In the release, the agency shared that a bobcat in Sierra County was euthanized after it tested positive for the viral disease.

Additionally, authorities said that the animal — which is also known as a wildcat, bay lynx, or red lynx — attacked several dogs.

All of the canines involved were up to date on their rabies vaccinations, but were administered booster treatments out of an abundance of caution. The dogs will also be monitored for possible symptoms for 45 days.

Two humans who may have been exposed to the infected bobcat are also receiving post-exposure rabies vaccines.

Bobcats are native to North America, and their territory ranges from southern Canada through most of the contiguous United States, also extending to Oaxaca in Mexico. Though they are solitary, they are considered to be territorial animals, per the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s website.

According to state health officials, New Mexico state law requires rabies vaccines for all pet cats and dogs.

“Rabies is deadly but preventable. State law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies,” Dr. Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for the NMDOH, said in the statement. “Unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies must be euthanized or strictly isolated for four months to prevent human exposure.”

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In 2025, New Mexico reported 13 cases of rabid animals. The disease, which affects mammals, is most common in wild animals such as skunks, bats and foxes.

Of the 13 infected animals in 2025, one was a bobcat. There were also four reported cases of bobcats with rabies in 2024.

To prevent rabies infection, NMDOH suggests making sure all domestic animals are up-to-date on vaccines and that pet owners maintain comprehensive vaccine records. The agency also recommends avoiding contact with wild animals, especially bats.

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