A Bethany resident spotted a bobcat on his property a few blocks north of Bethany Village on Monday, Oct. 26, the second reported sighting in the neighborhood in about a month.

The account is secondhand. The resident, who declined to be identified, told a friend that his backyard backs up to a wooded area, as first reported by Ray Pitz of the Beaverton Valley Times. It is unclear whether the reporter spoke directly with the resident or only with the friend.

A Washington County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said Oct. 27 that he had not heard of any recent reports filed involving another bobcat sighting.

The first sighting came Sept. 28, when residents reported a large cat on Northwest Kaiser Road near Northwest Springville Road. The Sheriff's Office reported that sighting to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The animal had not been located as of late September.

In a statement after the September sighting, the Sheriff's Office said, "At this time, no one has reported being harmed by a bobcat, and seeing wildlife in parts of unincorporated Washington County is not uncommon."

It is not clear whether the Oct. 26 sighting has been reported to ODFW. No ODFW comment specific to the second sighting appears in available reporting.

What to know about bobcats

Bobcats are the smallest wild cat in Oregon, about twice the size of a house cat with longer legs and a short "bobbed" tail. According to an ODFW guide on living with bobcats, the animals are found statewide, are reclusive and solitary, and may turn up anywhere there is nearby cover, including suburban yards near forests.

ODFW says bobcats are generally not a threat to people, though very small children should always be monitored outside. The animals can prey on domestic sheep, goats and poultry, though at lower levels than other carnivores.

Keeping pets and livestock safe

ODFW recommends residents take these steps:

  • Fence and shelter livestock. Move them to secure coops, sheds or barns at night.
  • Feed pets indoors and keep them inside at night.
  • Keep pets on a leash while walking in wild areas.
  • Do not feed wildlife. Attracting other animals may attract a bobcat.
  • Keep areas around bird feeders clean. Bobcats prey on birds and small mammals.

Residents who experience problems with bobcats can contact ODFW's local district office for advice and to report incidents.