2 Tough Old Birds Capture California Mountain Lion In Potty

SACRAMENTO, CA — A California couple caught an intruder in the act this week — but this intruder had four paws and fur.

Kathy and Edward Sudduth, 87 and 84, heard a "big bang" while watching television at their home in Sonora, and were shocked to find a mountain lion standing in their living room, Fox 40 reported.

“His tail was pretty close to me, so I just ‘thwipped’ it a little bit,” Edward said.

The big scaredy cat turned and ran into a second-story bathroom, and the homeowners closed the door behind it, The Guardian reported.

Tuolumne deputies and state wildlife officials found the mountain lion laying on the bathroom floor when they came to help the couple, and snapped a photo for Facebook.

The mountain lion appears to have been caught in the act, with an expression that can only mean, "Who, me?"

"Fish and Wildlife were contacted and assisted our deputies in coaxing the mountain lion out of the second story bathroom window," according to a Facebook post from the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department. "He did get a stern warning about the break-in before being released."

Perhaps the lion just wanted to catch the next episode of "Wheel of Fortune," but it jumped out the bathroom window before they could find out.

The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department reassured residents that mountain lion sightings near humans are not a public safety concern as long as the animal isn't showing aggressive behavior towards people. They did, however, remind residents to keep doors closed and secure.

While it's rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects, slowly create distance and never run away. Pick up small children.

See Also:

• Wayward Mountain Lion Captured In Calif. Suburb
• Mountain Lions Wrestle On Santa Cruz County Porch