Animals

Alligator seized from West Springfield backyard

An alligator was taken from a West Springfield backyard. Don Treeger / The Republican via AP

Authorities removed a six-foot-long alligator weighing more than 150 pounds from a West Springfield backyard Thursday afternoon, according to police.

Staff from the Forest Park Zoo in Springfield arrived at the scene to take the alligator. It will be kept at the zoo until they find a permanent home for it, police said.

The alligator was kept as a pet by the home’s owners, according to police. Environmental police are investigating the incident and could bring charges against the alligator’s former owner.

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