STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Authorities have taken a missing pet bobcat to a zoo after its owner found the animal not far from its southern New Jersey home.

Rocky got out of the house on March 25 and its owner, Ginny Fine, located the 38-pounbd bobcat in a nearby patch of woods on Sunday.

Fine says police arrived on Monday with a court order to take Rocky to the Popcorn Park Zoo pending a court hearing.

Police Capt. Tom Dellane tells the Asbury Park Press Fine signed an order in October when Rocky escaped the first time that it would be seized and held if the animal ever escaped again.

Fine is due in court on Friday.

Fine says Rocky has never lived in a cage.

———

Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, www.app.com