Conn. Cops Called to Home Dispute Find 4-Foot Gator

Police called to a domestic dispute in New Haven ended up taking a woman into custody—along with the family alligator. The 4-foot pet found in the apartment was dealt with by officers from the state department of environmental protection, who plan to send it to a wildlife sanctuary in Florida.

"I walked into the kitchen. I look at this cage, there’s a gator. I say, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’” a police officer tells the New Haven Independent. “After 23 years in the police department, I thought I’d seen it all. I thought I was in Florida." It's not technically illegal to have a pet alligator in Connecticut, but owners of wild animals can face charges under animal cruelty or public nuisance laws. Because the family surrendered the alligator voluntarily, police have decided not to press charges. (More Connecticut stories.)