550-pound ‘monster’ gator ends up swimming in Florida family’s pool – New York Daily News

See you later, alligator.

A Florida family got the surprise of their lives this week after waking up to a massive 550-pound alligator that took up residence in their swimming pool, according to a Facebook post from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

“Water Safety Month Tip #37: Always check your pool before diving in!” the sheriff’s office joked, sharing a handful of snaps of the alligator enjoying the lonely time.

The 10′11″ reptile “ripped the screen to get to nice, cool water” at the Deep Creek home, about 48 miles southeast of Sarasota, with the commotion waking the family, according to the post.

According to CNN, three officers and a trapper, who used a noose to pull the animal out of the water, were able to transport the animal to safety, thanks in part to the duct tape sealing its mouth.

“That thing was just a monster,” said Sgt. Brad Stender told the outlet, noting that those sorts of situations are hardly anomalies in the area, after responding to a slew of alligator calls this week. The size of the creature, however, was another story.

“I signed up to fight crime, here I fight dinosaurs.”