An alligator recently made a surprise visit to a Florida woman’s home in Venice, causing quite a stir. Mary Hollenback was shocked to find the nearly 8-foot-long reptile wandering through her house after hearing a banging sound at her door on March 28.
Hollenback, who initially thought it was someone trying to get into the wrong house, was taken aback when she saw the large alligator in her living room. She quickly realized she had an unexpected guest and was unsure how to handle the situation.
With fear shaking her, Hollenback went outside and called 911 for help. The alligator eventually made its way to the kitchen, where it got stuck and started hissing like a snake.
Deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrived to safely remove the alligator from Hollenback’s home. Despite the tense situation, Hollenback praised the officers for their calm and professional handling of the incident.
Hollenback believes the alligator came from a nearby pond before entering her house, surprising both her and her neighbors. She emphasized that “Only in Florida are you going to get an alligator in the house.”
The FWC offers safety tools and tips for dealing with alligators on its website, reminding people never to handle them as even small alligators can pose a danger. If faced with an alligator under 4 feet in a problematic situation, the public is advised to call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline for assistance.
Overall, the unexpected visit from the alligator left Hollenback shaken but grateful for the swift response from law enforcement. The incident serves as a reminder of the unique wildlife encounters that can happen in the Sunshine State.
