PLANT CITY, Fla. — Knock, knock. Who's there? Don't answer the door!
A 9-foot alligator was on the prowl on June 1 looking for a midnight snack when it made its way onto the back patio of a Plant City home.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said the family woke up around 2:45 a.m. to the sound of a knock on their sliding glass door.
When they turned on the lights they were surprised by their late-night guest. So they did the smart thing and called the sheriff's office. Deputies and FWC responded to safely trap and relocate the gator. Luckily, no one was injured and the gator returned home to find a proper snack.
Hillsborough County officials want to remind residents that if they ever encounter an alligator, to:
- Keep a safe distance
- Never feed a gator
- Call HCSO non-emergency number at 813-247-8200 or FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4296.