Free Republic

An alligator was handed a joke award by a Louisiana sheriff after attacking a man suspected of driving while impaired after he tried to escape across a swamp. The unnamed reptile was given a 'deputy of the year' prize by St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office after the attack on Victor Rivas, 40, on June 7. Rivas was spotted driving a Toyota recklessly along Interstate 10, the sheriff's office said. The car had a blown tire and sustained damage from a collision with a concrete barrier. Louisiana State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 310 and reported that Rivas, of...

A man delivering newspapers at 5 a.m. Monday heard an unusual sound as he got out of his truck to retrieve a misthrown newspaper. He walked between two parked cars and saw a 4-foot alligator. "He kind of lunged at me and hissed," said Bobby Kish, 46. "His mouth was open; I was about five feet away. It was enough to get my attention." Kish jumped back in his car, drove to the Pottstown Borough police station and told the dispatcher, who sent officers to the scene. Cpl. Jamie O'Neill grabbed the alligator from behind and secured its jaws with...