Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Miami Herald

    Alligator shows up at Florida family’s door and won’t leave. ‘He’s just looking at me’

    By Mark Price,

    5 hours ago

    An alligator showed up uninvited at a Florida home in the middle of the night — and the visit didn’t end well for the gator.

    It happened around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, in Bonita Springs, about a 150-mile drive south from Tampa, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

    “I have an alligator at my front door and he’s not leaving. He’s just looking at me,” the homeowner said in a 911 call.

    “I’m inside my home, looking out the window in my front door. ... I went out my front door to walk my dog and, of course, he was looking at me, so I went right back in.”

    The man estimated the alligator at about 10-feet, and noted his biggest concern was not knowing where it might show up next on the property.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1I6m6s_0vU2KNPu00
    One Lee County deputy had the risky job of holding the alligator’s snout as it was put into a truck, video shows. Video screengrab

    A state-licensed trapper was called and video shows he found an 8-foot, 11-inch alligator sitting in the yard like a lawn ornament.

    The trapper took responsibility for catching it, but deputies weren’t let off the hook. They had to help lift it, and body camera video shows one deputy was stuck holding its toothy snout. (It was taped shut.)

    “On three, really shove,” someone is heard saying in the video. “One, two, three, shove.”

    With that, the alligator was shoved into the back of a truck.

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports the alligator was “live transferred to an alligator farm,” which means its life was spared.

    Alligator attacks woman walking her dog, Florida officials say. Trapper catches it

    Alligator with loose tooth opens wide to let biologist pull it, Florida video shows

    Bear out for swim swats away two aggressive alligators in Florida river, video shows

    Expand All
    Comments / 3
    Add a Comment
    LynneFlMA
    3h ago
    I have gators under my car sometimes in the driveway. I leave them alone! They can find their way back! And they always do ! Leave nature Alone!
    Jackie Parry
    3h ago
    Why is it always news that an alligator shows up somewhere in Florida? This is where they live!!! Swamp land!!
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0