Wandering 10-Foot-Long Gator Caught in East Lake

Ever come across a snarly, 10-foot-long alligator?

A cranky whopper-of-a-gator made its way to the parking lot of an East Lake office complex early Tuesday morning, prompting someone to call 911.

"They said the gator was snapping at cars in front of the dentist office," said Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cristen Rensel.

The 911 call came in around 5:56 when it was still dark out, which probably made the sight of a 10-foot-long gator in the parking lot of Prestige Dentistry even scarier. Prestige Dentistry is located at 4140 Woodlands Parkway, which is right off East Lake Road's business route.

A couple of Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies responded to the call along with officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). They used a rope to capture the gator, then Deputy Jeff Crandall wrapped the gator's mouth with duct tape while his partner tied the gator's feet. The alligator was placed in the back of a pickup truck and FWC officers took it away.

The accompanying photos documented the gator drama. 

It turns out that Deputy Crandall is no stranger to gator encounters.

"He's been out on alligator calls before," said Rensel.

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