What is this weird animal? size of dog, looked feline, grey/brown/w/black spots. In central NJ suburb.?

Question

Mother saw it during day, came up to patio, said it was size of medium dog, but looked feline. It had black spots on back. What the heck could that be? Coyote? Can they have spots???

Answer 1

Where in Central NJ are you?
I looked on your 360 and it says Mountainside, which really is northern Jersey, unless your mom has moved further south...

Here's the checklist of wildlife mammals in New Jersey; but I don't see any felines on it.:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/chkmamls.htm
There is also a form you can download and submit for Rare Animal Sightings: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/pdf/rptform.pdf

Recently in Marlboro, someone thought they saw a big cat, suspected to be a mountain lion:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS01/605020362/1004
http://www.1010wins.com/pages/31403.php
More recently, a suspected Cougar has been seen further south in Gibbstown:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jersey/14712741.htm
and Vernon: http://www.njherald.com/288800853712921.php

Here are some who think they've seen coyote/wolf near New Brunswick: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=45314690&blogID=72149072&MyToken=6c6a23cb-b725-4c41-92e6-782454f1ae17
http://www.rutgersrarities.com/

Answer 2

It sounds like a Bobcat. I know of a few viable populations in the Pine Barrens around Bass River. It's a good chance they have populations up in the northern reaches of the state. Whatever it is; a Bobcat, the neighbors mutant house cat, or The Jersey Devil, I'd be wary of it. You never know what you'll find in this screwy state.

Answer 3

It was a bobcat, an type of American wildcat. If there are any woods near where you live that is where the bobcat lives.

Answer 4

Well if it had big ears and it looked like a cat it was prabably a Bobcat.

Answer 5

I guess a Bobcat.

Answer 6

Could be a feral cat. What's mom been up to lately???