A Plano resident took a picture of a bobcat as it strolled outside a home.

PLANO — Concern among Plano residents has spread after two dogs were mauled by a bobcat in a one week period.

As Animal Services works to catch the cat, fliers warning of the danger are circulating from house-to-house in the West Plano subdivision behind Presbyterian Hospital.

Tricia Toole said she witnessed the problem first-hand after a bobcat attacked her dog right in front of her.

"The cat came running from over there, scooped him up and was heading back over this way," she said.

"Romeo," — who is now quarantined by law — has had $3,400 worth of surgery since the mauling. The attack is evident in the stitches and scars that cover his body.

Animal Services said they believe that bobcat could be the same animal that a neighbor took a picture of as it came close to their front door and then their back fence.

"They're pretty good at adapting to pretty much any environment," said Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services manager.

Cantrell said it's impossible to estimate how many bobcats live in Plano.

WFAA-TV

'Romeo' was given stitches after a bobcat attacked him in Plano.

"They're quite crafty and smart," he said. "If they were easy to catch there wouldn't be that many of them out there."

The city placed cages in Toole's backyard hoping to catch the wild animal. Wildlife specialists are also studying reported sightings to figure out a possible pattern of behavior.

"We have all sorts of kids all over the neighborhood," Toole said.

People across North Texas may soon see more wild animals creeping into their backyards with the spring birthing season here. For those who do spot such an animal, they can call their city's animal services department or the DFW Wildlife Coalition.

E-mail sslater@wfaa.com