'Alligator-Like Creature' Prompts Police Call In Neptune

NEPTUNE, NJ — If you've never seen an iguana before, you might not be sure how to describe it.

That seems to have been the case in Neptune, where police say they received a report about an "alligator-like creature" hanging out on a porch in the township on Monday morning.

"Preferring tropical climates, the iguana can typically be found in Central America, the Caribbean, and New Jersey ... wait, what? On Monday morning, the Neptune Township Police Department was dispatched to an animal call involving an 'alligator-like creature' on the loose," the department said in a post on its Facebook page.

Police went on to say that when they arrived — Neptune does not have animal control services so police are the first dispatched to an animal call — they found the creature was an iguana, who was just hanging out on a porch railing, soaking up the sunshine.

"Officers sprang into action, set up a perimeter and canvassed the neighborhood for anyone missing a not-so-furry friend," the post said, and the owner was found and quickly responded,
"bringing this tense situation to a close without incident."

"The escapee was safely returned home to warm up after his exhausting and chilly morning walk," the post said.

The temperature was in the mid-50s on Monday morning — mild for a December day in New Jersey, but a bit cold for a critter whose native lands rarely see temperatures below 60 degrees.

"You may be wondering why this is a police concern," the post said. "Neptune Township, as with many other Monmouth County communities, has no animal control services and relies on the agencies like the Monmouth County SPCA when it comes to animal calls." Police determine whether the SPCA needs to be called.

"In this case, the officers recognized the need for an immediate response," because of the chilly temperatures.

Police praised the neighbors who called for their quick thinking, "and the officers who were able to locate the owner and get this runaway back inside to warm up."

And you can bet everyone was relieved that it wasn't really a gator.

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Photo by Neptune Township Police