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Alligator on the loose in Missouri lake

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June 26 (UPI) -- Residents of a Missouri city are being warned to keep their distance from an alligator on the loose in a local lake.

The Bonne Terre Municipal Police Department said the alligator was reported in Bonne Terre Lake by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Authorities said the gator is about 20 inches long, but some witnesses who spotted the reptile said it appeared to be closer to 3 feet long.

The reptile is not believed to be aggressive, but police warned residents not to attempt to approach or capture it.

Police said the alligator is believed to be a pet that escaped or was abandoned by its owner.

Alligators are legal to keep as pets in Missouri and only need to be registered with the state if they exceed 8 feet long.

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