5-foot alligator rescued from vacant Detroit lot - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

5-foot alligator rescued from vacant Detroit lot

Posted: Updated:

DETROIT (AP) - A 5-foot-long alligator that was abandoned on Detroit's east side has found a home -- at least temporarily.

WDIV-TV reports that the reptile was tossed from a truck into a vacant lot Thursday night as Detroit's temperature was just above freezing.

Shontez Gibson told the television station that he and his uncle saw the animal being dumped in the field and rescued it. Gibson kept the alligator in his own room. A space heater was used to keep it warm as Gibson fed the animal fish.

The Michigan Humane Society took the alligator away Friday. It is being cared for at the Humane Society's facility in Rochester Hills, north of Detroit.

Detroit fields and lots often are used as illegal dumping grounds for trash and other refuse.

  • Local

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:47:37 GMT
    Source: TPS website
    Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry. Court documents say the five were caught on surveillance camera throwing paint, birdseed,
    Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
    The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
    The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
    Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
    Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
  • Regional

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
    The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
    The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
    If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival  with her husband.
    If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival  with her husband.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:11:42 GMT
    The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
    Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
  • Top Stories

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
    Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
    Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
    We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
    Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads. 
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:47:37 GMT
    Source: TPS website
    Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry. Court documents say the five were caught on surveillance camera throwing paint, birdseed,
    Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!