Deputy Wrangles 4-Foot Alligator on Avon Park Construction Site

Body camera footage shows deputy using PVC pipe and rain jacket to capture and relocate the 'rather ornery' reptile.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of an alligator's eye and snout, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A close-up of the alligator's powerful jaws and piercing eyes captures the intensity of the deputy's encounter with the 'rather ornery' reptile.Avon Park Today

A deputy with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office in Florida was called to a construction site in Avon Park on Sunday afternoon to wrangle a 4-foot alligator that was spotted wandering the area. Using a piece of PVC pipe and a rain jacket, the deputy was able to capture the 'rather ornery' reptile and relocate it to a nearby lake.

Why it matters

Alligator encounters in populated areas are not uncommon in Florida, and law enforcement officers are often called upon to safely remove the animals and return them to more natural habitats. This incident highlights the training and quick thinking required of deputies to handle potentially dangerous wildlife situations.

The details

According to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, the alligator was spotted around 3 p.m. on Sunday on a construction site on South Lake Boulevard in Avon Park. Deputy Gage Massey, who previously worked as an Animal Services Officer, responded to the scene and used a piece of PVC pipe and a rain jacket to wrangle the 4-foot alligator. The alligator 'didn't want to go into the back of the patrol vehicle any more than most of the folks,' the sheriff's office said, and tried to escape at one point before being placed back inside and transported to a nearby lake.

  • The alligator was spotted around 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • Deputy Gage Massey responded to the construction site and captured the alligator on the same day.

The players

Highlands County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the alligator sighting and oversaw the relocation of the reptile.

Deputy Gage Massey

The Highlands County Sheriff's deputy who used a PVC pipe and rain jacket to wrangle the 4-foot alligator, drawing on his previous experience as an Animal Services Officer.

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What they’re saying

“Deputy Gage Massey is no stranger to alligator wrangling. When your last gig was being an Animal Services Officer, you're usually going to be the first one called when there is a wayward reptile.”

— Highlands County Sheriff's Office

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the important role that law enforcement officers play in safely removing and relocating wildlife that wander into populated areas, drawing on their specialized training and experience to handle potentially dangerous situations.