Officials seek home for alligator

WATERLOO (AP) ? Animal control officials in Waterloo are seeking a new home for a baby alligator named Chompey.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Monday that a resident bought the alligator after spotting an online advertisement but later learned Iowa law doesn?t allow people to keep alligators or other exotic animals.

The resident turned the gator into animal control officials, who kept the creature in an aquarium while figuring out what to do with it.

Maria Tiller, Waterloo?s code enforcement forewoman, says the alligator was ?kind of cute, but he was also kind of naughty.?

The alligator acquired the name ?Chompey? during a short stay at a pet care center before being quarantined in Des Moines while officials seek a permanent home at a sanctuary in a warmer climate.