Florida Deputy’s Bare Hands Evict Furious 6-Foot Pool Alligator, Patrol Car Ride Ensues
Florida alligator wrangling reached peak surrealism when Deputy Richardson, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, calmly pulled a furious 6-foot gator from a St. Augustine pool—barehanded—after a net failed. Trending searches for “can alligators open doors” and “is it legal to relocate alligators in Florida” spiked. Residents gawked as Richardson, greeted with “Obviously, you grew up here,” calmly secured the alligator for transport.
That poolside bare-handed rescue quickly led to a scene straight from Florida lore: the alligator, described as “super mad,” was chauffeured in a patrol car—buckled in for its own safety. Bodycam video now fuels trending searches for “what happens to nuisance alligators in Florida” and “do police tranquilize wild animals,” while the sight of a reptilian passenger riding shotgun conjures images of alligator-friendly Uber.
St. Johns County deputies confirmed the alligator’s backseat ride included a seatbelt, making it perhaps the first Florida gator legally restrained in a patrol car en route to a pond.