When officers arrived, they found the unexpected intruder perched at the top of a staircase, according to the Kirkland Police Department.
Kirkland police said officers safely removed a bobcat from a home in the Moss Bay neighborhood last week after a resident heard banging inside and called 911 to report a possible burglary.
When officers arrived, they found the unexpected intruder perched at the top of a staircase, according to the Kirkland Police Department.
An officer encountered the bobcat upon arrival, and officers deployed an unmanned aircraft to monitor the animal’s movements inside the home, police said. The aircraft allowed officers to keep a safe distance and guide the response without putting anyone at unnecessary risk.
Officers corralled the bobcat into an isolated room until the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived. The animal was sedated and later released near Forbes Creek, close to the natural habitat where it was found.
No injuries were reported to the resident, officers, or the bobcat.
Police believe the bobcat climbed a tree and jumped through an open window, possibly drawn inside by the resident’s cat. The cat was later found unharmed.
An image of a bobcat that was removed from a Kirkland home after being found inside in late August. (Courtesy: Kirkland Police Department)If you encounter a bobcat, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends giving it plenty of space and never approaching or feeding it.
The agency also recommends keeping pets indoors, especially between dusk and dawn, and securing small livestock and poultry.
If a bobcat enters your home, move people and pets away from the area and call 911.
