North Carolina couple reflects on rabid bobcat attack 2 years after terrifying encounter

BURGAW, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two years after being attacked by a rabid bobcat in their driveway, a North Carolina couple is looking back at the terrifying incident with a sense of humor.

Kristi and Happy Wade had no idea how their lives would change on the morning of April 9, 2021. They were packing up their car to take their pet cat to the veterinarian to get its rabies shot -- when suddenly it happened.

A rabid bobcat started screeching and then attacked Kristi. The animal sunk its teeth and claws into Kristi, ultimately causing more than 20 puncture wounds as it climbed from her thigh all the way up to her neck.

Happy then sprang into action, running to his wife's side and pulling the bobcat off of her and tossing it into their front yard.

"Don't mess with my wife. That's all I can say. Bobcat, beast, bigfoot, whatever," Happy said in an interview with ABC affiliate WWAY. "I don't know how it's going to turn out, but you're going to stop messing with her and start messing with me, I can tell you that."

SEE ALSO | 'I knew immediately I was in trouble': North Carolina couple describes coming face-to-face with rabid bobcat in driveway

The viral video shows a North Carolina man coming face-to-face with a rabid bobcat after it attacked his wife in their driveway.

The whole episode was caught on surveillance video. The video was astonishing to watch and gained a lot of attention online.

"I could feel its teeth in my hand. Again, it's just seconds. I thought to myself, this is what it feels like to be eaten alive," Kristi said. "It crawled up my back and that's when I started to run between the cars. Of course, I'm screaming the whole way. Someone said 'Why didn't you let go of your cat?' That didn't even dawn on me. She was my girl. I wasn't going to let go of her."

Ultimately, Happy ended up shooting the bobcat, which later tested positive for rabies.

The Wades had to get more than 30 shots each in addition to the rabies vaccine. Two years later and the scratches and scars remain as a reminder of that wild morning.

SEE ALSO | 'Scary five seconds': Moore County resident recounts bobcat attack outside Eastwood home

"I couldn't tell you how long it all lasted. I'd say five seconds, at the most, but it was a scary five seconds."

"Our pastor is a big superhero Marvel fan. We told him we'd come up with a new superhero. He said, oh yeah? Bobcat Wife Guy. It hasn't taken off yet, but he's my superhero," Kristi said.

The Wades also said the whole ordeal did not sour their love for animals, whether they be domestic or wild -- yes, even bobcats.