A family in rural Pollock Pines is OK after they say a mountain lion invaded their home.
Homeowner Mark Dolph says he was making dinner with his family when he heard his family cats running scared near the front of their home. When he went to investigate he encountered the unwelcomed large feline.
“I look and I see the door ajar,” Dolph said. “But then I looked down right here at the steps and the mountain lion had its head and front paws about three steps down.”
The father of two says he immediately backed up and called for his wife, daughter and friend, to go into the kitchen pantry. Dolph picked up the closest possible weapon, a piñata bat, and called 9-1-1 from the glass door covered pantry.
The family says they weren't able to get a photo of the mountain lion.
It took police about half an hour to arrive to the rural Pollock Pines home. The family says when police arrived the big cat was gone.
The mountain lion did manage to jump on the counter where dinner was being made, break several dishes, turn the water faucet on, and scare away the family cats before making its exit.
“But it was pretty stressful, I know that,” Dolph said.
According to the US Forrest service, mountain lions will often avoid confrontation. Dolph says this big-cat growled at his family and continued into the home despite making loud noises to scare it away.
The mountain lion likely made it into the home by pressing on the front door of the home, which was not bolt locked, Dolph said. The family said they’ll be extra careful about making sure it is locked.