MODESTO BEE (California) 30 July 05 Alligator can't live in Sonora koi pond (George Snyder)
Sonora: A 3˝-foot alligator was taken from its owner earlier this week after police found the reptile in a Sonora apartment.
Sonora Police Lt. Mark Stinson said his department received an anonymous tip Wednesday about a reptile in a South Stewart Street apartment, near downtown.
"The owner said he had gotten it while it was only a few inches long and planned to raise it until it was fully grown," Stinson said. "He said he was going to put it in his koi pond behind the apartment."
Stinson said fully grown alligators can grow to 10 feet long.
A police officer, city animal control of-ficer and a California Fish and game warden contacted the reptile's owner and removed the alligator without incident, Stinson said. The alligator was taken to a licensed wildlife and exotic animal refuge, he said.
Stinson declined to identify the alligator's owner, pending further investigation. Fish and Game officials in district headquarters in Fresno said they were unable to immediately identify the refuge where the young alligator is being held.
They said pets such as alligators are hard to care for and are very temperamental.
It is against state law to possess or import exotic animals, such as alligators, into California without a permit. Fines can run from $500 to $10,000.
Alligator can't live in Sonora koi pond