Davie firefighters, police wrangle gator after responding to water main break

DAVIE, Fla. — Davie firefighters and police wrangled an alligator early Friday morning that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission has been trying to capture for two years now over ongoing concerns by residents in the area, Davie Fire Rescue officials said.

Read more Local 10 Special: Countdown to the Cup!

Leer en español

According to Jessica Montes, a spokeswoman for Davie Fire Rescue, firefighters responded to the 3900 block of Southwest 84^th Terrace at about 5:18 a.m. after receiving a report about a water main break.

“Upon arrival, firefighters were advised that an alligator was present in the water,” Montes said in an email to Local 10 News.

According to Montes, the gator tried to flee into a nearby yard, but firefighters and Davie police worked together to capture the gator before it could escape.

Davie Fire Capt. Chris Pelosi was among the first responders who helped wrangle the gator.

Read more After Carlos Vives concert, Miami Beach and Miami keep FIFA World Cup spirit alive

“When we tried getting it, it just got agitated and ran away,” he said.

Pelosi said police got to it first.

“PD was able to get the little K9 leash out. They kind of got it around the neck so it was kind of doing a little death roll — it was rolling over here, so we corralled it against the wall,” Pelosi said. “I always see on TV, they just throw a towel over its head, so I just kind of walked up, just threw the towel.”

Montes confirmed that Davie police used a “catch pole” to secure the gator, while firefighters helped restrain it until FWC officers arrived.

Neighbors heard the commotion.

“I just heard all the trucks,” resident Linda Stover said. “I had no idea there was an alligator outside my house.”

Montes said the gator was turned over to the FWC and no injures were reported to first responders nor the gator.

Read more Barricaded suspect taken into custody after SWAT standoff in Fort Lauderdale