Rocky The Bobcat Heading Home; DNA Test Inconclusive

Ocean County's most famous Bobcat, Rocky, is heading home to Beach Haven West. according to reports.

The Press of Atlantic City reported Friday that DNA tests to confirm whether Rocky is a purebred bobcat or a bobcat-housecat hybrid were inconclusive. Therefore Municipal Court Judge Damian Murray ruled that Rocky would be able to be returned to his owner, Virginia Fine.

Fine had said she bought Rocky when he was a baby from a breeder in Montana, with the understanding that he was a "hybrid" mix of bobcat and domestic cat.

But after Rocky - who Fine has described as a playful and friendly cat who gets along with her other cat, LC - was found after he loose from her yard in March, state Fish and Wildlife officials took Rocky away and held him at the Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, claiming they did not know whether the cat was purebred or a hybrid. Purebred bobcats may not legally be kept as house pets, state officials have said.