Meghan and Harry’s neighbour warns of bear on chicken-killing rampage
Penelope Bianchi, 74, lives nearby in the swanky Santa Barbara neighbourhood of Montecito.
A large bear has killed eight chickens at the California home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s neighbour – who warned the couple to make themselves safe.
The black bear was seen on CCTV at the home of Penelope Bianchi, 74, who banged frying pans at the animal before police arrived to scare it away.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in an £11 million mansion in the swanky Santa Barbara neighbourhood of Montecito.
As well as boasting a library, spa, gym, game room, arcade, office, theatre, wine cellar and five-car garage, the 5.4 acre estate has a chicken coop where the couple keep eight rescue chicks.
Montecito is home to famous faces including Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey, who lives next door to Penelope, an interior designer.
She said it was the first bear attack in decades, and has since installed sirens, cameras and motion-sensor flood lights to protect herself. She says the Sussexes should now do the same.
Penelope told the Mirror: ‘We were having dinner outdoors and heard the chickens making a commotion.
‘It’s a good thing we were at home otherwise we’re sure the bear would have broken into the garage to finish off all the chickens. It’s the first time this has happened in 40 years.
‘Please, please Meghan and Harry, get these devices so your chickens are safe and the bear is safe.’
The bear has been nicknamed Carlos and has survived calls for it to be put down.
The Montecito Association, a residents’ group, plan to meet to discuss ‘strategies’ to stop it coming to their homes.
Despite the Sussexes’ charitable intentions, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife appears to hold a dim view of Montecito’s chicken-owning residents.
‘It’s not like they can’t afford fresh eggs but for some reason the folks there think they need a chicken coop,’ a spokesperson said.
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