UNSPLASH
A family from New Smyrna Beach, in Volusia County, Florida, experienced a moment of tension early this Tuesday. It all started at 2 am, when his dog started barking non-stop. This atypical behavior made the couple who owned the home wake up and go out to find out what was happening in the garden on their property. When they looked into the pool, they couldn’t believe what was in front of their eyes: a huge alligator.
For the Nation
The news went viral on social media after Martin Brenner, owner of the house where the reptile appeared, made a post on Facebook to humorously describe the terrifying situation. “OK. It’s 2 a.m. Our big dog starts barking ferociously. “I turn around and ask my wife to check it,” his story began. In addition, he made a joke about the fact that he had asked his partner to go see what was happening: “Hey!!!!! Come on, it’s 2024! “I needed to get back to a comfortable sleep.”
So, he continued sleeping while she went down to check the garden. It was at that moment that he woke up again to the desperate scream of his wife. “There was a huge alligator swimming in our pool,” he explained. Then he continued the story: “I dragged my big butt out of the bed and sure enough, the animal went through the screen door. Swimming backwards, butterfly freestyle, everything!”
The couple immediately called 911. Minutes later, several New Smyrna Beach Police officers arrived. “Florida police officers doing Florida things!” they wrote on their social networks, referring to how common encounters between crocodiles and people are in this state. In addition, they showed the images of the operation and concluded: “This alligator felt at home during the night.”
Meanwhile, the troops called a Fisheries and Wildlife hunter, who was in charge of safely removing the alligator from the pool. He was approximately three meters long and weighed about 180 kilos.
Alligator Mating Season in Florida
With the arrival of spring and rising temperatures, Florida alligators become more active and begin their mating season. In this state there are approximately 1.2 million crocodiles, which reproduce mainly between May and June, according to what the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) explains to the population.
This activity means a greater likelihood of finding these reptiles in lakes and green spaces, as well as on city streets and even inside properties. While bites to humans are extremely rare, Florida residents should be vigilant when passing by ponds and waterways, even more so when walking their pets, which are often easy targets for these animals.
Read more in La Nacion
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