Police in Long Branch, NJ got a scaly surprise while searching a house last week: An alligator, apparently being kept as a pet by the home's owner.
The Long Branch police wrote on Facebook, "While executing a search warrant in Long Branch today, detectives found something they weren't quite looking for! A Gator! A Long Branch resident was apparently keeping it as a house pet. The animal was confiscated and turned over to Long Branch Animal Control Officer Deb Nagel who contacted NJ Fish, Game & Wildlife to arrange for a pickup. According to a preliminary report, fines for housing an animal like this can range up to $25,000.00. It is likely that our little friend will wind up being adopted by an animal organization such as a zoo or aquarium. We will keep you posted if we learn of its new home. Fortunately, no animals (or detectives) were injured in this event."
This alligator looks pretty small, but it was found in a storage box. In NJ, you need a permit (PDF) to own one, but they are illegal in NYC.
FWIW, Alligators in Sewers Day is February 9. Earlier this year, an 8-foot alligator was seized from a Los Angeles backyard—the family had kept it as a pet for 37 years and when the authorities found the gator, there were two cat carcasses nearby!
