A rabid bobcat in New Mexico attacked dogs, prompting public health alerts and preventive measures.

A rabid bobcat in Sierra County, New Mexico, was euthanized after attacking several dogs, marking the state’s first animal rabies case of 2026. All dogs were vaccinated and received boosters, with 45-day monitoring underway. Two people exposed are receiving post-exposure treatment. Health officials stress rabies prevention through pet vaccinations, caution against wild animal contact, and remind the public that unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies must be quarantined or euthanized. Rabies is fatal if untreated and commonly found in wildlife like skunks, bats, and foxes. New Mexico reported 13 rabid animals in 2025.