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Alaska officer removes alligator that grew too large for bathtub

By Ben Hooper
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Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Police in Alaska said an animal control officer responded to a home to take custody of a pet alligator that had grown too big for its bathtub.

The Wasilla Police Department said in a Facebook post the animal control officer "typically handles loose dogs and cats, with the occasional rogue chicken thrown in."

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"Yesterday was a first for him, as he was called upon to help re-home a four foot long American alligator," the post said.

The owner had requested help moving the 4-1/2-foot alligator because it had become too large to keep living in the home's bathtub.

The animal control officer helped relocate the reptile to rescue group Valley Aquatics.

The rescue group said the alligator, named Allie, was originally thought to be female, but was later found to be a male.

"There is not much that I can divulge because it was owner's release, and I don't want any bad publicity on the owner," said Sheridan Perkins, owner of Valley Aquatics, told KTUU-TV. "That's why we're in business. We're here to help in situations where it's not the best for the animal or the owner."

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Perkins said the 3-year-old gator will have a permanent home with the group.

"With an animal like this, [the alligator] has come home, [Allie] is not for adoption or sale," Perkins said.

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