A bobcat stirred up weekend drama in a Centennial neighborhood on Saturday, prompting warnings from Arapahoe County deputies to bring pets inside and keep an eye out. The wild cat was reported near the intersection of South Holly Street and East Dry Creek Road, according to officials.
Deputies shared the sighting in a post on X and told residents not to approach or feed the animal, and to report any aggressive behavior to law enforcement, per Denver Gazette. The story by Matt Kyle includes a photo from the Arapahoe County sheriff’s office. Authorities noted that bobcats rarely attack people, but they can be dangerous to smaller pets left outside.
What wildlife officials say
Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes bobcats as secretive, medium-sized wild cats that live across Colorado and are most active around dawn and dusk. The agency’s species profile says bobcats are typically about 32 to 37 inches long with a short tail and help control populations of rodents and rabbits, usually steering clear of people. Conflicts most often happen when bobcats are drawn in by outdoor food, pet dishes, or unsecured trash.
Bobcats and neighborhoods
Although bobcats generally avoid humans, they do wander through backyards and along the edges of suburbs from time to time. National Geographic lists adult bobcats at roughly 11 to 30 pounds, which means a bigger one can rival a medium-sized dog, even if it looks like an oversized house cat at first glance. Sightings like the one in Centennial highlight how wildlife slips through small patches of green space inside metro areas. Experts emphasize that bobcats usually bolt when confronted and that residents should never try to handle or feed them.
How to keep pets safe
Deputies urged neighbors to keep pets indoors or on a leash, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends removing outdoor food sources, closing pet doors at night, and securing trash so bobcats are less likely to approach. The agency also advises trimming dense brush, supervising small pets when they are outside, and avoiding feeding any wildlife. Those steps lower the odds of an unwanted up-close encounter…