HOA Fails To Remove An Alligator, Homeowners Upset

An HOA in Texas has yet to take action to remove an alligator, upsetting the residents of the community.

A Wild Alligator Poses a Danger

Homeowners in an HOA in Sugar Land are upset over their president’s failure to remove an alligator from the neighborhood. Residents recently spotted a 7-foot alligator going around the New Territory community. It has been more than a week since the alligator was first seen.

Gaylin Fagan, one of the residents, described the incident as “funny the first day or two” but has since turned serious. According to Fagan, the animal runs out of prey in the lake.

“So now what happens? He’s getting hungry,” Fagan expressed to local news.

The alligator first appeared in Fagan’s backyard. It seems the beast has shacked up at the community’s man-made lake since then.

“It’s so terrifying to have an alligator out of our back gate staring at you, wanting your dogs,” Fagan worried. “Because I have yorkies and he just wants those yorkies really bad.”

Permit to Remove an Alligator

Over the weekend, resident Leslie Little attempted to get local authorities to handle the situation. Animal control arrived at the scene but did nothing. Little and Fagan then turned to their HOA to remove the alligator.

Because the place is deed restricted, the HOA must complete a nuisance report from the state before allowing a private contractor to handle the problem.

“Until that nuisance report is complete, no one can touch that alligator,” Fagan said.

Texas Parks and Wildlife dictates that only game wardens or permittees can remove alligators “when deemed in the best interest of public safety.” Without a nuisance report, the association can’t hire a contractor with a permit.

Little feels disappointed in the HOA for failing to take swift action since it is in the interest of the residents’ safety. The alligator poses a threat to the welfare of homeowners and their pets, especially at night when it is difficult to see it.