Pet bobcat who ran away for sixth time returns

MANAHAWKIN, N.J. (WABC) -- Rocky, the 38-pound bobcat with a history of running away from home is back in custody.

The owner, Ginny Fine, was cited for allowing Rocky to escape. She is back in municipal court on Dec. 5.

The bobcat is now headed to the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey. This is the sixth time he's been on the loose in the Ocean County Town of Manahawkin.

Rocky is a legal pet only because he's not all bobcat, and the owner just loves him. "I do love him. He's like family," said Fine. "He's very happy to be home."

Well, maybe not quite as happy as Ginny thought. Despite all kinds of safeguards put on his home, Rocky escaped again this week, for the sixth time, apparently fleeing into the woods across the street to dine on mice and squirrels.

"It's always a concern, there are residents living there year-round, there are children in that area," said Captain Thomas Dellane, of the Ocean County Police Department.

Finding Rocky has occupied a lot of Dellane's time, and that of the folks from animal control in the city. Last time, after his fifth escape, a judge promised there would be no tolerance for Rocky six.

"He did indicate if it were to escape again, they would award custody over to the Popcorn Park Zoo and take the custody away from the owner," Dellane said.

Most neighbors Eyewitness News spoke to said they weren't terribly concerned about the large cat being on the loose and were just wondering if the owners would be able to keep Rocky.

"He's a high maintenance pet, needs a lot of care," Fine said.

That's a burden that may soon no longer be hers.