A small alligator found tied to a boat in East Texas set off an investigation that had game wardens going from one family member to another before someone finally admitted to catching the reptile. On Thursday, Texas Game Wardens shared photos of the unusual discovery in Angelina County. Wardens said they received a tip through Operation Game Thief in August about a small alligator reportedly being kept tied up in a pond on a residential property.
When wardens arrived, a man at the residence denied knowing anything about the reptile. He directed them to his son-in-law, who also lived on the property but was away at work.
While searching the property, wardens found the alligator tied to a jon boat along the pond’s bank. They seized the reptile and released it back into the wild.
An alligator found tied to a boat in Angelina County was later released into the wild. (Texas Game Wardens)
A warden returned that evening to question the son-in-law, who also claimed to know nothing about the alligator. Instead, he pointed investigators toward his brother-in-law, claiming he was responsible.
When wardens contacted the third man, he admitted to catching the alligator and placing it in the pond, according to the agency. He was issued a citation for illegal possession of an alligator, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 for a first offense.
Under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations, alligators can be legally captured only during designated hunting seasons and with specific licensing and tagging requirements. In Angelina County, the hunting season runs from Sept. 10-30, meaning the August incident occurred outside the legal hunting season. Handling nuisance alligators also requires special authorization.
Officials said the man was already facing other legal trouble. Wardens discovered he had four active warrants with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. They did not say whether he was arrested in connection with those warrants.
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This article originally published at Texas family points fingers after game wardens discover alligator tied to boat.