Small alligator found on Montreal street belongs to Repti-Zone owner
Some residents of Montreal's Mercier district got a shock when they spotted a metre-long alligator just before 1 a.m. ET.
Émilie Gaudry, the owner of the alligator, runs the business Repti-Zone, which uses exotic reptiles in educational presentations at places like schools, daycares and offices.
She said that around suppertime on Tuesday, an employee brought the creature to her home before it was to be taken to a depot where she stores her exotic animals.
She says the employee did not close the case properly and the alligator got out. After a search, she said, she gave up, thinking it would show up eventually.
The six-year-old alligator, named Ally, was found wandering near Ontario and St. Donat streets.
Montreal spokeswoman Anie Lemieux said the neighbours who found the creature called 911 and police were dispatched.
Officers cornered the reptile with their telescopic batons and recycling bins.
"When they got there, they found the animal, controlled it until Berger Blanc arrived on the scene. Once Berger Blanc was there, police officers from the station and the intervention group helped the Berger Blanc capture the animal and put it in a cage," she said.
It's now in a basin of water at the Berger Blanc animal control centre.
Under municipal bylaws, alligators are prohibited in residences. However, Gaudry said she has all of the appropriate permits to have the animal.
