LUVERNE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama woman is recovering after being attacked by a rabid bobcat in the front yard of her Crenshaw County home.

Multiple media outlets report that Michelle Russell says she initially thought the bobcat was a stray dog when she spotted it outside of her home Monday. After realizing it wasn't, Russell says she ran outside to get her dogs to safety.

Russell says her screams alerted her friend who came outside to help. Russell says the cat, which had gone into a drainage pipe, jumped out and latched onto her arm, biting her.

Russell says her friend tried beating the cat with a gun before shooting it multiple times.

Authorities confirmed the animal, estimated to be around 30 pounds, tested positive for rabies. Russell is undergoing rabies treatments.