Florida wildlife officials are looking into a reported incident earlier this week in which an alligator is seen on video being dragged on a public roadway.

  • Alligator seen in Snapchat video being dragged on road
  • Incident occurred recently near Volusia/Brevard lines
  • Call 1-866-FWC-GATOR for nuisance alligator removal

The incident occurred near U.S. 1 close to Ditch Road near the Volusia and Brevard county line.

The Snapchat video is at the center of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation. It appears to show a man tying up a gator to the back of an ATV and then dragging it back and forth across a road.

"They are dangerous animals," wildlife Officer Chad Webber said. "And it could have turned out bad with the gentlemen being bitten and also bringing harm to the animal."

FWC officials said it has received tips and talked to the man in the video. Officials said there isn't enough evidence to determine the man's intent. Determining that intent could determine whether the man will face any charges.

"There's no justification for it at all," Volusia County resident Dan Friend said. "I was appalled to see the video."

The case remains under investigation. 

The gator-dragging video has drawn comparisons to the one seen in December of a shark flopping around as it's being dragged behind a fast-moving boat off the Florida coast. It took about a month for FWC officials to identify and charge the three men seen on the boat in the video.

FWC uses contracted alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators 4 feet in length or greater that are thought to pose a threat to people, pets or property.

People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Nuisance alligator trapping is free.