PHOENIX --
.
A man who strangled to death an attacking bobcat said Wednesday he's seen his share of those animals near his quiet, secluded home, reported KPHO-TV in Phoenix.
James Gruver, 61, lives about 10 miles north of Lake Pleasant, Ariz. He said the growling cat hiding under his trailer Monday afternoon was unlike any he'd ever seen.
"I bent down and looked under the trailer, and right there about 5 feet from me, was this bobcat," Gruver said.
A second later, the cat lunged.
"I didn't even have time to snap my fingers, it happened so quick," Gruver said. "He was on me."
The outdoorsman, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall, was knocked to the ground. A wrestling match that Gruver said he will never forget was soon under way.
"I reached over and I grabbed it around the neck because I didn't want it to bite me," Gruver said. "I just kept a death grip on it because I realized when I was down on the ground, this is getting real serious."
Moments later, the cat was dead, but the problem was far from over.
"I had scratches here, and this one was the deepest one right here," Gruver said, referring to his right forearm.
State officials learned the bobcat tested positive for rabies.
After several more rounds of rabies shots, Gruver will be able to put the battle behind him.
Now he knows it's not about the size of the cat in the fight, especially when that cat has rabies.
"If he clawed me, that's one thing, but I didn't want to get bitten because I was sure it has rabies or it wouldn't be attacking me," Gruver said.
