New Jersey woman allowed to bring pet bobcat home

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WABC) -- A judge is allowing a southern New Jersey woman to bring her pet bobcat home.

Rocky has escaped from Ginny Fine's Stafford Township home four times since March.

Now, Fine has told the judge she has made extensive improvements to her home to prevent the 38-pound feline from making another escape.

Fine was fined $250 plus $33 in court costs after she pleaded guilty to letting an animal run at large. She also must pay $448 to the zoo where Rocky has been living since July.

Fine claims Rocky is a hybrid of a bobcat and Maine coon cat. But a court-ordered DNA test has proved inconclusive. She would have needed a special permit if Rocky was determined to be a purebred bobcat.

"People hear 'bobcat loose,' and it was frightening," Fine said. "He's not scary. He is very sweet, very loving. He honestly is like a big house cat."

Fine says Rocky is neutered, declawed and decidedly domesticated.