Bobcat Traps Family Inside Their NJ Home's Bathroom

A bobcat trapped a family in the bathroom of their New Jersey home for nearly an hour Wednesday evening.

Police were called to the Washington Township home, where they opened all of the doors and windows so the bobcat could get out. It left within about an hour, The Associated Press reported.

Sgt. Robert Oranchak said a mother and her two children locked themselves in the bathroom after seeing the wild animal near the back door, NJ.com reported. No one was injured, and the bobcat, which left through an open kitchen window, did not appear rabid.

"It is the time of year to make sure your doors and windows are secured when you leave to avoid any type of creature entering your home," Washington Township Police Lt. Douglas Compton said, according to the Daily Record.

The incident was one of three human-bobcat interactions within a week in Washington Township, NJ.com noted. On Thursday, a bobcat attacked a dog.

Less than an hour after the dog was attacked, another report of a bobcat was made. The animal was isolated in a barn and captured by officials for observation and possible rabies testing, NJ.com reported. It is unclear whether the same animal was involved in all three encounters.

"All residents are still encouraged to take precautions and contact us if they have any other contact with any wild animals," Washington Township police spokesman Lt. Douglas Compton told NJ.com

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