Thuvia Stapp first became aware she had a problem about two weeks ago.

Stapp lives with her daughter and son-in-law, George and Kathi Needham, out on Deep Woods Circle. It’s a pleasant, pastoral location where most of the upper-middle income homes sit on lots of a size that would take even the most determined weekend lawn care warrior all afternoon and a couple of gallons of gasoline to mow.

But Stapp &045; who still has a decided New Jersey accent despite 10 years as a &uot;back-door Southerner&uot; &045; didn’t realize just how pastoral her new home was until she came face to face with her bovine intruder.

While there are several neighbors in the area around Deep Woods Circle who keep a few head of cattle for one reason or another, none has stepped forward to claim the seven head &045; five cows, one bull and one calf &045; that have been vexing Stapp’s otherwise peaceful existence.

The Needhams’ yard is peppered with the evidence that the cattle are no strangers there. &uot;You can follow their trail,&uot; Stapp says, pointing to the tell-tale piles. &uot;I got most of it out of the driveway, but….&uot;

Her voice trails off.

Stapp enjoys living in the country and, before her uninvited guests began showing up, occasionally set out food to attract deer and the like. &uot;I put out two of those deer feed blocks the other day and the cows ate both of them &045; crumbs and all,&uot; she fumes. &uot;We’ve got deer, we’ve got possum, we don’t need cows.&uot;

The daily visits have also been nerve-wracking on Stapp’s Jack Russell terrier, Molly.

Stapp tried calling the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, but didn’t get much satisfaction there. &uot;They said it wasn’t their problem,&uot; she says, clearly miffed.

Next, she tried phoning the local office of the Alabama State Troopers.

Stapp says the troopers told her that their department used to employ a part-time wrangler for just such situations as hers. But with all the to do about the state budget deficit, she thinks he was let go in as a cost-cutting measure.

That’s when she decided to see if The Times-Journal could help. &uot;I thought if we put something in the paper, you know &045; ‘Found: a herd of cows.’ Then maybe whoever owns them will see it and come get them.&uot;

Until then Stapp &045; and Molly &045; will just have to manage the best they can.

Oh, one more thing. If you come to visit, careful where you step.