Law enforcement often respond to strange situations, and yesterday was a perfect example of that for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
A post on the sheriff's office Facebook page showed one deputy wrangling an alligator by the tail. "Never a dull moment in law enforcement!" the office posted. "Deputy Thornburg helped return this little guy to the pond where he normally resides."
There was no information provided on where the gator was found, or which pond it was returned to.
In July, Hoover Animal Control Officers investigated an unconfirmed report of a possible "baby alligator" sighting at Veteran's Park Lake on Valleydale Road. But, later information showed the animal spotted was likely a Gulf Coast soft shell turtle.
Alligator hunting season in Alabama began last week for those hunters who had a tag randomly drawn by computer. This year's hunting season limits are identical to last year, with 260 total tags issued statewide and divided among different areas of south Alabama. There were 150 in the Southwest Zone, 50 in the West Central Zone, 40 in the Southeast Zone and 20 in the Lake Eufaula Zone, according to an Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries' Alligator Program press release.
The hours and length of the season also differs by zone -- the latest ending Oct. 1. An eight foot restriction is in effect for the Lake Eufaula Zone, but the other zones have no size restriction.