Missouri Woman Bitten After Bobcat Kitten Is Mistaken For “Lost Cat”

A Kansas City woman was driving through Liberty, Missouri, when she noticed a small, furry creature running on the side of the road. A self-proclaimed lover of animals, the woman immediately pulled over and picked up what she thought was a lost cat. The frightened animal ended up biting her on the thumb before she was able to move it into a position where it couldn’t attack her.

When animal services arrived, they were astonished. The woman hadn’t detained a missing cat, but had grabbed a wild bobcat kitten. According to the New York Post, bobcats wild are very common in the area, but rarely have they been mistaken for a common, household pet. The confused animal was then released in a safe area away from roads.

Liberty, Missouri’s police department later posted about the incident on Twitter.

“A word of advice…if you want to pick up the cute little kitten to pet it, make sure it is not a bobcat first!! They do bite and scratch. #Meow.”