Animal Control believes the cat was feral, living somewhere in a wooded area when it came out and attacked the young girl.

“That’s a red flag because we don’t normally get reports of cats attacking people,” said Kim Staton, director of Osceola County Animal Services.

Officials said the victim’s family told them the cat attacked the little girl’s leg, biting and scratching her several times. The wounds were so severe the girl received stitches.

Animal control officials also believe the same cat also attacked a man on Keystone Avenue in St. Cloud.

When they finally captured the cat, their suspicions were confirmed, it had rabies.

The Osceola County Health Department has warned the victims, and we’ve been told they are now undergoing rabies treatment.

Francelia Wente, who walks with her grandson twice a day in the neighborhood, said she’s now nervous another rabid animal might attack her or her family.

“It scares me. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him or to any of us,” said Wente.

Any animals, including livestock like horses and cows, left outside could be at risk, according to animal control.

They suggest getting those animals vaccinated and keeping those vaccinations up to date.

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus should contact the Osceola County Health Department right away.

“It’s important for people not to get complacent about rabies because we don’t hear about it all the time," Staton said. "It does still happen in the U.S. and we do still have human deaths in the U.S. because of it.”

Officials sid the girl and man are both being treated and are in stable condition.