Watch CBS News

Rocky The Pet Bobcat Captured Day After Running Away From Manahawkin Home

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A pet bobcat hybrid has been recaptured after its latest escape from its owner's southern New Jersey home.

Stafford Township Police Capt. Tom Dellane said Rocky was found around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, a day after fleeing from Ginny Fine's home in Manahawkin. The 38-pound bobcat was caught nearby in a humane trap after eluding animal control officials on Tuesday by running into a wooded area.

The wayward pet has been taken to Popcorn Zoo.

Rocky has been the subject of an ongoing legal fight between Fine and town officials because of its repeated escapes. This was the sixth time the bobcat has run away from Fine's home.

Fine was cited for allowing Rocky to run at large and is due in municipal court on Dec. 5.

Owning purebred bobcats as pets is illegal, but Fine has said Rocky is a hybrid of bobcat and Maine Coon. A judge, ruling that a DNA test on Rocky was inconclusive, decided that he could return home after a previous escape.

Back in September, Fine told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport she didn't think Rocky would bolt again. She promised the judge she would rebuild his outdoor pen and put a double enclosure in her entrance way.

Fine has previously pleaded guilty to letting an animal run at large and had to pay a $250 fine. She was also held responsible for more than $400 to the zoo where Rocky was kept after the last time he escaped.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.