Santa gets clawed

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. - Mall Santas are used to crying kids, but they usually don't get bitten, at least not like this.

"It hurt. It had a lot of power in its jaws," said Jonathan Bebbington.

He was working in a New Jersey PetSmart store, posing for pictures with various animals, when he was clawed and bitten by a frisky feline - someone's pet bobcat.

The bobcat's owner left the store before anyone could get her name, which is causing some concern as organizers try to find the animal's veterinary records.

"Without the record of the shots, I have to go through a series of rabies shots which are very painful," said Bebbington.

Bobcats are not legal as pets in New Jersey, and the owner could face a $5,000 fine.

"Any kind of wild animal is just not a good idea for a pet, regardless of how nice it is. Eventually, it can snap," said Vincent Sonetto with the Cape May County Zoo.

PetSmart will pay Bebbington's medical bills.