Last of 3 missing bobcats found, dies hours later

9/20/2004

A woman's search for the last of three missing bobcats ended with the discovery of an ailing feline that later died, Lucas County sheriff's deputies said.

Ann Hauden, a Spencer Township resident, told deputies a neighbor found the female bobcat Saturday in the backyard of their property and called her.

Ms. Hauden wrapped a blanket around the animal, which appeared to be badly dehydrated, and took it to her home, where it died several hours later.

The animal, which had been declawed by a previous owner, had little chance of surviving on its own, Ms. Hauden said.

Her three bobcats, for which she had a license, went missing Aug. 3 after someone used wire cutters during a burglary to open an outdoor cage and free the animals. One was found alive later that night, and a neighbor found a second one alive and well last week.