Eight-foot gator relaxes in front of Sunset Beach home

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - One Sunset Beach resident had quite a lawn ornament Thursday morning.

Sunset Beach Police posted to Facebook that officers responded to the 400 block of Sandpiper Bay Drive and found an estimated eight-foot-long alligator calmly relaxing on the sidewalk in front of a home.

“Officers stood by to be sure no one would come near the alligator until it decided to move along,” the post stated.

The police department warned residents that alligators live in ponds throughout Sunset Beach and regularly make their way to homes.

“Please remember that these are protected animals and they cannot be fed, harassed, or harmed by anyone. Most often, when left alone, they will go back to where they came from,” the post stated.

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