Tuesday, August 6, 2002
NEW BRIGHTON, Pa. (AP) -- A second alligator has been caught in the Beaver River.
The alligator, which measured 34 inches long, was caught four days after a 3-foot alligator was caught.
"I happened to catch an alligator," said Ed Stang, who caught the reptile on Monday night while fishing for catfish. "That's a surprise -- not too often you run into gators in the Beaver River."
Stang took the alligator to the New Brighton police station and offered to keep it until either the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium or the Tri-State Herpetological Society could pick it up.
Stang caught the alligator in an area where several people had reported seeing one after the first alligator was caught.
"Everybody had seen him within 50 yards of that spot," said officer Art Shidemantle. "I just hope that's the last one."
Authorities said they believe the alligators were bought at pet shops, flea markets or swap meets, but their owners grew tired of them and dumped them in the rivers.