Police find an alligator living in the basement of an Ohio home

Police have recovered an alligator from a home in Ohio 25 years after it was bought by the family.

Police received an unusual tip last week from a woman in Madison Township directing them to her basement. Once there, they discovered a fully grown, 5-foot-long American alligator.

I’ve never seen anything like that in my 17 years in the department,” Madison Township Police Commander Darrell Breneman told CNN.

The homeowner said her son bought the gator at a reptile flea market 25 years ago and had kept it in the basement ever since police said.

They voluntarily surrendered the gator, which was in good condition, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture removed it from the home, police said.

Wildlife officials will take the alligator to an animal sanctuary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where it will enjoy its retirement in the warmer weather.

Alligators are banned in Ohio. The Senate Bill 310 prohibits the possession of hyenas, lions, tigers, alligators, bears and several other wild animals.

Watch the video below:

Police found a fully grown, 5-foot-long American alligator living in the basement of an Ohio home. The homeowner said her son bought the gator at a reptile flea market 25 years ago and kept it in the basement ever since, police said. https://t.co/Pgru8iZOYi pic.twitter.com/dmcH0SvKOz

— CNN (@CNN) March 2, 2020