FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – Over the weekend, Franklin County first responders were greeted by an unexpected resident with scales.
While responding to a house fire, crews discovered Smiley, a six-foot-long alligator.
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@fcdps resources responded to a residential fire yesterday and found a 6 foot alligator in the home. Today "Smiley" was turned over to a rescue group and after medical test will be placed into a natural habitat pic.twitter.com/ZBlkoiCHf9
— FCDPS (@FCDPS) February 27, 2021
The homeowners had been keeping Smiley as a pet for about 8 years, according to the Franklin County Public Safety Director Billy Ferguson.
The 12-year-old alligator was sent to a rescue group on Saturday and will be placed into a natural habitat after medical tests.