Dogs and foxes suspected to be rabid often spark concerned calls to local law enforcement authorities, however Wednesday night it was a suspicious — and possibly rabid — feline in the area of the Sampson County Complex that drew response from Sampson County sheriff’s deputies.
The strange cat was reported by a woman cleaning up the county offices after 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to Animal Control officer Tim Bass. The cat was seen outside the government offices at 360 County Complex Road, just off Rowan Road.
Deputies responded after being relayed information by a dispatcher who had received a 911 call, Bass noted. A report filed at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at 9:30 p.m. to a “rabid feline.”
“They sent a deputy out there and the cat came at him,” said Bass, who also responded. “It didn’t ever attack him, but it came at him. The deputy was trying to stop him.”
The deputy discharged a .22-caliber Glock in an attempt to incapacitate the cat, but was unsuccessful.
“When the deputy shot at him, he ran,” Bass remarked. “We couldn’t find it. We don’t know for sure if it had rabies. We couldn’t see him or get to him. It ran in the drain tile and I tried to get at it but couldn’t.”
Bass said he saw the feline, which did not have a collar on its neck. It looked strange and there was something awry about the way it was acting, he noted.
“His head and all was wobbling,” the animal control officer said.
Possibly rabid cats, he said, are not normally the source of many calls for Animal Control.
“Most of the time, it’s a wild animal, not a domesticated animal,” Bass noted.
Bass and others went back out to County Complex Road Thursday morning, but there was no sign of the cat. The feline is described only as being white and gray in color.
He warned others in the area to be cautious, and to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
“We don’t know where he went. They went out there this morning and they didn’t see anything,” stated Bass, who heeded others to be on the lookout. “If they see a cat acting strange, they need to call us and not try to go to it. If it’s after hours, they need to call 911.”
The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 910-592-4141.
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.
#2 I'd like to welcome Moxy to the crew because I can see she has potential for sarcasm far beyond what I initially thought and I would love to see MrSampco wrapped in a hot pink tarp!
#3 Peta obviously you don't "get it". Law enforcement has been made fun of and will always be made fun of...get over it and laugh at the humorous side of the postings. Barney didn't mind being ridiculed! It's not that serious.
#4 I suggest given the number of feral felines, rabid foxes and attack dogs running through the town of Clinton that the mayor donate his salary(I'm referring to the attorney salary not the mayor salary) to hiring several more animal control officers or better yet, set up a program to deliver BBQ and donuts to the officers at the scene! This would benefit everyone involved....the officers save the public from rabid animals, get target practice and get to eat. Looks like a win, win, win
It's obvious you're having some sort of hormonal imbalance.
Now, to the meat and gravy of the subjects. It's pretty plain the SI puts stories like the marauding felines and thuggish dogs terrorizing the country side because it's ridiculous. The town has to pull law enforcement officials off more important things just to satisfy (suck up to) so called prominent citizens of coharie and fox lake. Yes, I said citizens because if you haven't noticed, there are two social classes in the area.
Peta, to answer your question about shooting lightning fast cats in dimly lit areas. I plead the 5th ( that's protection from self incrimination under the Constitution to all you in Hayne Skretch, Roseboro, Clinton and Rebel City). If you would "RE-READ" the previous comments about this subject, you will find they are littered with sarcasm. I hate to say it, but you are sarcasticly challenged and very naive.
And for you, moxy04, one more time. If you would bother to actually read and study my various postings throughout the SI, you would know where I stand on numerous subjects. Unfortunately, you will be unable to do that as long as your head is stuck in your "third point of contact".
Since obviously you two individuals are unhappy with just about everything that goes on in Sampson County and based on the comments you post you both seem to feel that your intellect is far superior to the residents and officials of Sampson County; Just leave the area!! Surely you can find Eutopia somewhere in the world, with people that you really agree with and like. Just wishing you a happier day!! LOL.. If you think you could have any (happiness that is).
God Bless America!
WRONG!!!!
It should read, "If they see a cat acting strange, they need to shoot the animal themselves, and not try to call us. We can't shoot a moving target. We're the SCSO, we don't use our firearms. If it's after hours, just give up til tomorrow, we don't do that either."
I've always heard that an "EXCUSE" was the skin of the truth stuffed with lies........Sounds like the officer was a little trigger happy but not steady enough to hit his target. To the officer who responded to the call.........spend more time on the firing range and less time eating BBQ or drinking coffee and eating doughnuts so if a real situation ever presents itself and your life is in danger you might be able to defend yourself. You might not have a backup officer around.