After hearing their 7-year-old dog growl, a couple thought there might be an intruder in their new home
KATC/YouTube, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
A couple who had just moved from Arizona to Louisiana were awakened to their dog protecting them from an intruder — but not the one they ever expected.
“Our dog Panda grew a deep throat grumble and woke my wife up and she tapped me said, ‘I think there’s someone in the house,’ and so I got headed down the hall to check,” homeowner Don Schultz told KATC 3.
To his surprise, he did find an unexpected visitor in their new home: “I saw the shape of an alligator,” he told the outlet.
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
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The 5-foot alligator gained access to the house through the doggy door that Panda used to go outside. Don and his wife Jan Schultz called authorities and Wildlife and Fisheries came to capture the uninvited guest.
“I guess it’s off swimming in a bayou somewhere,” Jan told the outlet.
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They have since added a lock to the doggy door so that the incident doesn’t happen again.
“We are taking precautions and putting a locking dog door in now that only unlocks with the dog’s collar, so we won’t have this surprise in the future,” Don told KATC 3.
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
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Nonetheless, the couple agreed: They got an authentic welcome to Louisiana.
“It was quite an experience,” Don told the outlet. “We’re getting the full Cajun experience.”
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