Gator Suspected of Killing Dog Captured in Central Florida

An alligator suspected of killing a dog in a central Florida subdivision has been captured.

Local media outlets report a trapper caught and killed the alligator on Wednesday. Officials say the dog's body was pulled from a lake in the Port Orange neighborhood Monday.  Port Orange is located roughly six miles north of Daytona Beach and about 58 miles northeast of Orlando.

Trappers believe the dog, which residents described as a large breed, was attacked after it went missing Thursday from a nearby home.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officers gave the order for trappers to find the alligator.

Alligator trapper Curtis Lucas told The Daytona Beach News-Journal that he won't have proof if the 9-foot-1-inch male reptile is the culprit in the dog's death until he looks at its stomach contents.

Lucas says the state requires nuisance alligators over 4 feet to be exterminated. Smaller gators are relocated.