Police Find Possible American Alligator in Middlebury

A Middlebury man brought new meaning to the phrase "see ya later, alligator" on Monday night, as he was forced to bid adieu to what police believe was an American alligator that he was keeping as a pet.

Middlebury police reported that around 7 p.m. on July 25, Canine Control Officer James Roy took possession of the 12-inch-long reptile. The reptile was first discovered when police visited resident Ken Berry's home on an unrelated complaint earlier in the weekend and noticed it in an aquarium.

When asked, Berry said a friend in Waterbury gave him the reptile, which he believed to be a type of lizard. It is illegal to possess an alligator in Connecticut, though the statute carries no monetary penalty.

Police said the Department of Environmental Protection will take possession of the reptile on Tuesday.

They are also consulting a number of experts to determine if, in fact, the creature is an alligator. Police said they have already consulted Michael Ralbovsky, known locally as the "reptileman," and he believed it to be an alligator.