Meet the mew neighbors

In a southern California subdivision named for a favored section of Italy that sits in a town named for a made-up Danish castle that was the setting for great tragedy, fantastic farce is taking place.

The Los Angeles Times' Sept. 5 edition reports a family of bobcats has moved into an abandoned, foreclosed house in the "Tuscany Hills" subdivision in Lake Elsinore.

Residents of the development got their first look Aug. 27 when the feline squatters -- at least two adults and three kittens -- lolled atop a wall outside the Spanish-style house.

Someone called 911, reporting mountain lions. Four police cruisers showed up and officers ordered everyone inside. But soon they were out snapping photos along with the neighbors.

Wildlife experts predict the cats will move on, once the kittens are a bit older.

Seems like they know better than to stay too much longer in the exurbs. Do their neighbors?

Image via Los Angeles Times/Karen Brown