CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A small bobcat was caught relaxing in a Kings Crossing resident's flowerbeds Monday morning, according to posts from a public Facebook group, Kings Crossing Residents and Friends.
Belinda Luddeke posted the photo that got her neighbors talking about the cool cat they all seem to have seen around the block. She told 3NEWS that she was happy to snap a photo of the animal enjoying some shade in her yard and believes he had a nice drink of some water from her garden fountain before 'quietly sauntering away.'
"I was really amazed to see him and [glad] that he found comfort under our tree," she told 3NEWS.
But not everyone in the group can say they're happy to see the animal.
Some comments left by residents say the bobcat is a known to 'mind his own business' when spotted around different neighborhoods, but others feel the news of his presence is 'alarming and scary' for those with pets or small children.
"If someone’s cat or small dog goes missing, you now know where it went," said Tyler Millerstrom, who believes the animal is literally too close to home.
"Just fyi, I know it looks cute and peaceful but that’s actually not a good situation," Millerstrom continued. "The fact that it’s so calm in those surroundings means it’s very comfortable and doesn’t feel threatened. A full-grown tom bobcat can take down a deer that’s over twice its weight."
"He's fine doesn’t bother anyone," said another commentor with the screenname Ñìssæ Gïłl. "If he sees you, he will just cross the street and mind his business. I’m on Macarena and we see this guy all the time at night."
So far, the bobcat has also been spotted in the Toulon, Lovain, and Garden Court neighborhoods.
Other members of the group have chimed in saying that area bobcats are not very big and usually prefer to stay away from people if possible.
Corpus Christ Animal Control Services did not say whether or not their office had received reports about the bobcat, but they did tell 3NEWS that if a report had been made, it would have gone through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Todd Griffis says he's seen one bobcat cross his back yard several times and even caught the animal on his game camera.
"I enjoy seeing the wildlife in the neighborhood...we also have coyotes on a regular basis and of course rabbits."
The Kings Crossing resident says he appreciates seeing the animal around his neighborhood, but he can also see another perspective.
"It doesn’t bother me, we are the ones that invaded their space," said Griffis. "Although I can see how people with small pets would be concerned."