German Shepherd rescues owner from bobcat attack in Arizona

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA) - There have been several bobcat attacks within the past 48 hours in the Prescott area.

Officials don't know if it's just one bobcat or multiple, but in the most recent attack Monday morning, a German Shepherd came to the rescue.

Moses, a six-year-old German Shepherd, is being crowned a hero after saving his owner from a rabid bobcat.

Moses and his owner were on their morning walk around their neighborhood just north of Prescott when she says the bobcat attacked.

"This cat came at me and jumped me. I thought it was a coyote because we don't have bobcats around here. So, I pushed it away and it came right back," said the owner, who did not want to be identified on camera.

The owner says the cat scratched up her arm before going after her dog.

"I was afraid. I kept saying 'Go, go, go' to Moses. I wanted him to get away, but when I got back, he had killed the bobcat," the owner shared.

She says Moses broke the bobcat's neck, killing it right in her driveway.

"He did what dogs...German Shepherds do," the owner explained.

The bobcat tested positive for rabies, according to Arizona Game and Fish Department.

"Bobcats are cats. They have cat in their name. They're pretty skittish. They don't like people. They want to stay as far away from people as possible so when these situations happen and a bobcat is indeed being aggressive toward humans or pets it almost always means they're going to test positive for rabies."

Michael Colaianni, Public Information Officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office says there were three other reported bobcat attacks within the past 48 hours.

They're not sure if it's the same animal, but they're warning residents that other wildlife could be infected.

"It's rare...but it's the time of year," Colaianni spoke.

Moses is up-to-date on his rabies vaccine, but will be quarantined at home for the next month and a half. His owner is also being treated for rabies, but will be okay.

"Painful but it could be so much worse," the owner expressed.

She says she's just grateful to have Moses by her side saying, "He's an amazing dog."

Any people or pets attacked by wild animals are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.