Lakebay, Washington – Deputies in Pierce County encountered an unusual situation last week when they were called out to capture a nearly 7-foot-long alligator who was living in a shipping container with a man.
The sheriff’s office shared the strange situation via social media on Wednesday, explaining that the animal control agency had received a complaint alleging that someone was living on property in Lakebay with an alligator. The agency described the situation officers were met with, writing:
On 10-20-2022, animal control visited the property and saw the alligator which was being stored in a small tub inside of a shipping container. Also in the container was a very sick calf (baby cow) and a mattress for the 32 year old owner to sleep in the container with the animals.
Sgt Darren Moss Jr. PCSO Public Information Officer added:
“The back half was a little living room and mattress on ground where the man was sleeping and it was free access for the gator to come in and out of the tub next to the man.”
A day later, officers returned to the property with a search warrant in order to check on the calf and seize the alligator, dubbed Al by the authorities. But the calf, and the man, were gone. The department explains:
The calf and the owner were gone, but “Al” the alligator was still home.
Animal Control did the hard job of getting Al out of his tub and holding him down. A deputy assisted with taping the mouth closed (that’s a big NOPE).
The mission was a success. Al was transported to the Tacoma Humane Society where a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary met with them to take custody of the gator.
Friendly reminder for the curious, alligators are illegal to own in the state of Washington!
