A small alligator caused a stir at a Lakeland, Florida business on Tuesday, prompting a response from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The reptile was discovered near an employee's vehicle at Borem Fire Protection. Deputy Sheriff Bujnovsky apprehended the alligator, which was subsequently released into a nearby lake.
Images shared by the Sheriff's Office on social media show Deputy Bujnovsky holding the alligator, its mouth secured with tape. The department's post humorously described the alligator as a "suspicious character" who refused to "speak" with deputies, likely due to the taped mouth. They reassured the public that the tape was applied safely and could be easily removed in the water.
The incident highlights the frequent encounters between humans and wildlife in Florida. Alligators and crocodiles are known to venture into populated areas, sometimes ending up in unexpected places like swimming pools. This event follows a recent incident where a 10-foot crocodile was removed from a residential pool.
