By News Plug Weird News Desk
You know Florida is wild when an alligator decides your pool is its new swimming hole. That’s exactly what happened in St. Augustine, where a St. Johns County deputy pulled a 3- to 4-foot alligator from a family’s backyard pool — with his bare hands — then humorously buckle-strapped the wriggly critter into the back of his patrol car before releasing it safely in a pond nearby. (Fox 13 News)
How It Went Down
It was early morning when homeowners spotted the gator swimming laps in their pool. Deputy Richardson first used a pool skimmer to guide the reptile to the edge, then grabbed it by the neck and tail to lift it clear. In video shared by the sheriff’s office, you can hear him saying: “Oh, I got you… I know you’re super mad.” The deputy then secured the gator in the patrol car, buckling it in before relocating it to a nearby pond. (Fox 13 News)
Why This One’s Gone Viral
The footage has been viewed thousands of times, with social media users both amused and impressed by the calm handling. “Gator swim time’s over!” one neighbour joked as the deputy carried the reptile out. For many, it was the surreal moment of seeing a strapped-in gator riding in a squad car that made this pure Florida gold.
The Bigger Picture
Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, spread across all 67 counties. Encounters aren’t rare — from golf courses to driveways, and, yes, backyard pools. Wildlife officials urge residents never to approach gators themselves, and to keep fences and screens maintained to avoid unwanted visitors.
TL;DR
- A deputy in St. Augustine, Florida, wrangled a small gator from a family pool.
- Video shows him joking, “I know you’re super mad,” as he secured it.
- The gator was buckled into a patrol car and safely released.
- Viral proof that Florida wildlife + suburbia = endless weirdness. (Fox 13 News)
