Watch: Bobcat Sighting in Laguna Niguel Caught on Video

A bobcat and its young were spotted traipsing through a Laguna Niguel backyard last Wednesday, and a resident just happened to have a camera.

Alexia Paz, who lives in the city’s Ocean Ranch Estates neighborhood, spotted the cat clan along her wall. The theory is that the bobcat was searching for water, and the house below has a rock waterfall, plus thick brush to hide in. There are also a lot of wild bunnies in the neighborhood, which make easy snacking.

A neighbor of Paz’s told Patch they were concerned about the bobcat -- and its impact in a neighborhood with many small pets and children -- enough to contact Mission Viejo Animal Services, which contracts with the city of Laguna Niguel for its animal needs.

However, as with more frequent coyote sightings, the agency says its hands are tied when it comes to such sighting-only encounters with wildlife.

“We’ll take a report, but there’s nothing we can really do about it unless we receive multiple reports,” said a MVAS spokesperson. “If the animal is injured, we can pick it up, but it's illegal to remove healthy animals from the wild. Standard operating procedure is to issue warnings about keeping pets indoors and food sources closed.”

The agency also suggests scaring the bobcats away with a water hose or making noise to discourage them from hanging out.

Other tips for dealing with wildlife, including coyotes, in the suburban jungle that is South Orange County, from the Laguna Niguel city website:

• Fence off animal enclosures (fully enclose if possible).
• Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult.
• Keep your dog close to you on walks, use a short (6 ft.) leash, not a retractable leash
• Carry a large stick when walking your small animals during the early morning hours and at dusk
• Keep yards free from potential shelter such as overgrown shrubs, brush and weeds.
• Eliminate food and water sources, such as fallen fruit, standing water
• Feed pet indoors – do not leave pet food outside
• DO NOT feed coyotes or any wildlife