Exotic cat on loose in suburban town - New York News | NYC Breaking News

A New Jersey woman got quite a scare when she thought she saw a leopard wandering through a suburban neighborhood.

Sarah Flatt was driving through Boonton Twp. in Morris County on Tuesday when she came across the large spotted cat.

She grabbed her camera and snapped some photos.

It turned out to be a Savannah cat, a mix of an African serval and domestic cat.

"I couldn't imagine walking down the street and seeing this animal, Flatt told MyFoxNY.com.  "Thank God I was in my car."

She thought it was dangerous that pets like these are allowed.

"The fact that you can be fined for a dog roaming, but not an African cat that is an exotic animal, Flatt said.

She says the cat was returned to its owner on Kingland Rd. on Wednesday.  The cat is said to be worth $6,000.

"Don't get me wrong they can be great pets, but that is only to its owner, not you or me walking down the street," Flatt said.