MOUNDSVILLE-His name is Dudley, and he needs a home - the problem is, he's an alligator.
According to Marshall County Animal Shelter Director Cindy Brautigan, Dudley was brought to the shelter Wednesday by Marshall County Animal Control officers. He was turned over to them after a Fish Creek resident caring for Dudley could no longer take care of him.
Brautigan said Dudley's original owner had left him with that person for care, but the resident turned Dudley over to the shelter with the baby alligator's best interest at heart.
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DUDLEY: Baby alligator handed over to animal shelter
Now, she's working to find a suitable place for Dudley to reside.
"I want to send him to an animal rescue, but that isn't always easy," Brautigan said, noting many area zoos and rescue leagues can't take the alligator because they already have too many.
Dudley can't stay at the local animal shelter for long, Brautigan said, adding that animal shelter workers are actively seeking a facility that could give him an opportunity to live in an environment that closely resembles his natural habitat.
Brautigan said having reptiles as pets is not something that's common in Marshall County, but she said the shelter has received them in the past.