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| Photo illustration. The cat shown is not the actual animal involved. |
By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published June 15th, 2026
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News Brief Summary
- Rabid stray cat attacked five people and a puppy in north Lakeland.
- Victims included two children, two adults, and a teenager.
- Animal Control searched for the cat for days before locating it deceased.
- State laboratory testing confirmed the cat was positive for rabies.
- All victims were urged to seek medical treatment.
- A woman feeding multiple stray cats was cited by Animal Control.
- Additional trapping operations are underway in the neighborhood.
- Health officials continue monitoring potential rabies exposures.
LAKELAND, Fla. — A stray cat that roamed a north Lakeland neighborhood has tested positive for rabies after attacking and biting five people and a puppy, prompting a public health response and renewed warnings from authorities about feeding unvaccinated feral animals.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Polk County Animal Control, the incidents occurred during the first week of June in the Glen Road area of north Lakeland.
Investigators say the cat was one of several stray cats being fed by 31-year-old Angelica Perez, who told authorities she names and feeds roaming cats in the neighborhood. The cat was never vaccinated against rabies.
The attacks were spread across multiple victims and locations. Authorities say a 29-year-old man was bitten on the legs while at Perez's home when the cat attacked without warning. A 33-year-old woman suffered bites to her finger and legs after the cat jumped into her lap at a neighboring residence before launching a second attack. A 16-year-old girl was bitten on the knee while attempting to play with the cat.
Two younger victims were also attacked. A 9-year-old girl was bitten on the leg outside her home, while a 13-year-old boy was attacked while taking out the trash at the end of his driveway. In addition to the human victims, a 4-month-old puppy was reportedly attacked by the cat outside Perez's residence.
Animal Control officers launched an extensive effort to capture the animal, placing multiple traps throughout the neighborhood. While officers captured ten stray cats during the operation, the cat responsible for the attacks remained at large.
The search ended on June 11 when a Glen Road resident reported the odor of a dead animal coming from beneath their home. Responding officers located the deceased cat and sent its remains to a state laboratory in Tampa for testing.
The following day, officials confirmed the cat had tested positive for rabies.
All known victims were urged to seek immediate medical treatment and rabies exposure evaluation.
Authorities cited Perez for allowing roaming cats, failing to vaccinate the animal, and for injury to a person resulting from negligence. Officials also quarantined her dog after it was exposed to the rabid cat.
Animal Control continues working with the Florida Department of Health regarding the exposures and has placed additional traps in the area in an effort to reduce the stray and feral cat population.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents not to feed or interact with roaming cats unless they know the animals have been properly vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and are under responsible ownership.
Sheriff Grady Judd used the incident as an example of the dangers posed by unvaccinated feral animals.
"This unvaccinated roaming stray cat with rabies attacked and bit five people, and that speaks for itself," Judd said.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Health officials urge anyone who may have had contact with a potentially rabid animal to seek medical attention immediately.
Source: Polk County Sheriff's Office / Polk County Animal Control
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