DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) – A Florida man is on the road to recovery after an alligator bit him. Police said it happened right outside his home, and an alligator expert is now weighing in, calling this attack unusual.
The homeowner was left with a deep bite wound after Daytona Beach Police said he opened his door to find an alligator sitting right outside.
The attack surprised trapper Kevin Officer.
“That’s some crazy Florida stuff, honestly,” Officer said. “That’s like never heard of. Alligators aren’t very aggressive to anybody unless threatened or something along those lines. So, him opening the door, I mean that’s a one in lifetime kind of situation, honestly.”
Police said the homeowner opened the door after hearing a noise just after 10 p.m., thinking it was someone looking to speak to his son.
The alligator lunged and chomped down on his upper thigh.
Officer said the homeowner may have startled the animal, as it clearly startled the man.
“I have done thousands of alligator captures and relocations and never had an alligator lunge like that, unless you’re provoking it,” he said.
Paramedics took the man to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials found the alligator in front of the house and called a trapper who euthanized it, standard protocol when they attack humans.
Officer said it seems like an unfortunate coincidence.
“It’s not his fault; it’s definitely an isolated incident,” Officer said. “I mean, someone smashing on my door late at night, I’m opening the door to find out what’s going on. So, I don’t think he did anything wrong.”
Police have turned over the case to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
They are still investigating.
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