big kitties!
September 5, 2008
LAKE ELSINORE -- As more and more southern Californians are moving out of their homes due to foreclosure, others are moving in. You might say the new residents of a Lake Elsinore home "pounced" on the opportunity to take up residence.
Last week, neighbors of a well groomed home in Tuscany Hills began noticing that their news neighbors were acting like wild animals. In fact, they are wild animals. They're a family of bobcats.
Residents of the foothill community got their first look at the feline squatters late last month. At least two adults and three kittens, were lounging on top of a wall outside the spacious Spanish style home.
Someone called 911, reporting a mountain lion sighting. Four police cruisers showed up and officers ordered everyone to stay inside their homes. But, the officers along with neighbors, started snapping photos.
Bobcats are not known to attack humans, said Monique Middleton of Animal Friends of the Valley, which provides animal control services in the area.
"But, are they pussycats? No Can they do a lot of damage? Yes," she said. "They ususally look for a food and water source, and there is an oil koi pond in the backyard and that's where they're headed."
She said she expected the animals to move on in a few weeks, when the kittens are old enough to travel.
Tuscany Hills in Lake Elsinore has been hit hard by foreclosures. The house on Vista Palermo has been empty for at least six months, neighbors say.
LAKE ELSINORE -- As more and more southern Californians are moving out of their homes due to foreclosure, others are moving in. You might say the new residents of a Lake Elsinore home "pounced" on the opportunity to take up residence.
Last week, neighbors of a well groomed home in Tuscany Hills began noticing that their news neighbors were acting like wild animals. In fact, they are wild animals. They're a family of bobcats.
Residents of the foothill community got their first look at the feline squatters late last month. At least two adults and three kittens, were lounging on top of a wall outside the spacious Spanish style home.
Someone called 911, reporting a mountain lion sighting. Four police cruisers showed up and officers ordered everyone to stay inside their homes. But, the officers along with neighbors, started snapping photos.
Bobcats are not known to attack humans, said Monique Middleton of Animal Friends of the Valley, which provides animal control services in the area.
"But, are they pussycats? No Can they do a lot of damage? Yes," she said. "They ususally look for a food and water source, and there is an oil koi pond in the backyard and that's where they're headed."
She said she expected the animals to move on in a few weeks, when the kittens are old enough to travel.
Tuscany Hills in Lake Elsinore has been hit hard by foreclosures. The house on Vista Palermo has been empty for at least six months, neighbors say.