Deputy's first day on job: Wrestling a gator

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A rookie deputy from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, responding to her first call on her first day on her own, was pressed into service helping to corral a 6- to 7-foot injured alligator.

Deputy Morgin Evins, fresh out of training, was called to Pulte Homes' Corkscrew Shores development Sunday for a call about an aggressive gator.

The LCSO said the gator was in a defensive posture, and was reported by a neighbor walking his dog that it was at the front door of a home in the gated community.

"The people weren't home at the time, LCSO Sgt. George Mingione said.

The reptile was missing an appendage and had cuts and lacerations on its body and tail, Mangione said.

"It looked like it had been injured in a fight with another gator," Mingione said. Due to the severe injuries, the gator will probably be euthanized, he said.

Deputy Evins helped with the capture by holding the gator's head still with a gaff while a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission gator handler taped up the reptile's mouth.

Follow Michael Braun on Twitter: @MichaelBraunNP 

Related:

Terrifying 9-foot alligator sneaks onto family's porch

Watch a fearless caddy chase away a giant alligator with a rake