DETROIT – Animal Control officers removed a relatively small alligator Friday afternoon from the backyard of a home in the 1600 block of South Ethel Street in southwest Detroit.
The alligator did not look pleased at being disturbed. After all he was sunning himself in his enclosed backyard pen with in ground pool.
The 5-year-old alligator was a beloved family pet.
He had a backyard pen in the summer months and a tank in the basement in the winter months and a steady diet of rats.
He's also against the law.
Somebody called Detroit police to complain about his presence, and Animal Control was called in to remove him.
Jamarr Allen told Local 4 he bought the alligator five years ago for $30, and he's never caused a problem or bit anybody.
While he's sad to see his pet go, he knew it was coming.
"You know it was eventually going to come to that point," Allen said. "He was gonna get too big and I was gonna have to let him go."
The alligator will stay at Detroit Animal Control until an appropriate place can be found for him.