Possible wild cat spotted on Rauber Street, leading to shelter-in-place around midnight

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Rochester police issued a shelter-in-place for Rauber Street between Joseph and North Clinton avenues after people reported seeing a large wild cat roaming the area. RPD says they’ve gotten multiple 911 calls reporting similar sightings throughout the city. Some people believed they saw a mountain lion. Police say none of those reports could be verified and they’re still investigating. The shelter-in-place went into effect just after midnight and has been lifted.

This comes after people shared doorbell camera video on social media of what appears to be wild cat in Rochester on Wednesday night. We’re working to get permission to use the video. RPD is working to confirm the validity of that video. The sheriff’s office used a drone to check the backyards on Rauber Street but didn’t see any signs of a big cat. News10NBC spoke with a man who said he made eye contact with some sort of big cat overnight around Rauber Street.

“All I hear is people running and coming back this way,” Curtis Jones said. “So I just kept walking, minding my business. I don’t play with dogs, snakes, I don’t do the rattles, I don’t do none of that type of wildlife stuff.” RPD is asking the public to remain vigilant and go indoors immediately and call 911 if they see a “large wild animal”. We’re working to see if the Department of Environmental Conservation is involved in this investigation. Check back for updates.

RPD says there is no evidence that the possible wild cat is from Seneca Park Zoo, as they’ve checked with the zoo and all animals are accounted for. RPD also said that any rumors that officers found the animal in a backyard on Hoeltzer Street are false.