MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Martin County deputies have successfully captured a 9-foot alligator that had been “stalking” dog walkers in the Sailfish Point neighborhood.
According to a Wednesday update on the sheriff’s office Facebook page, the alligator was initially spotted hiding in a patch of sea grapes. Authorities reported that the reptile had previously crossed from the riverside to the beachside and was later found concealing itself near a popular walking area.
The alligator made its way back to the beachside on Tuesday and took refuge in the lanai of a community condominium. “The gator was indeed too close for comfort for dog walkers and the community,” the post noted.
Deputies managed to contain the alligator while waiting for a professional trapper to remove it. The reptile has since been captured and relocated.
The sheriff’s office is advising residents to remain vigilant, especially in areas where alligators are known to travel. “If you are walking your pet near such areas, please be alert for patches of brush or sea grapes, which can provide cover for these reptiles,” the agency advised.