Crime & Safety
Alligator Taken from Resident in Merrifield: Police
Animal Protection Police officer advised the alligator's owner that a special permit is required to own a gator; the animal was impounded.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Fairfax County Police were called to an apartment in the Merrifield area Wednesday afternoon for a report of an alligator being kept in the home, police announced Friday afternoon. Police say they went to the apartment, located in the 8200 block of Adenlee Avenue in the Merrifield area Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.
Animal Protection Police officers couldn't make contact with the owner Wednesday, so they returned Thursday and advised the resident that it is illegal to own an alligator without a special permit. The alligator was impounded by the State Wildlife Biologist and taken to Richmond, where it will be used for educational purposes, police said.
No charges were placed on the owner, police said.
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Approximate location of where alligator was living in Fairfax County (Google maps):
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PHOTO of alligator taken from home courtesy of FCPD
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