The urban myth about alligators in the sewers came closer to reality this week when Upper Darby Police reported that a two-foot alligator was spotted in Darby Creek in Upper Darby, writes Tom Ignudo for CBS News Philadelphia.

Someone walking their dog at Penn Pines Park near Providence Road contacted Upper Darby Police after the alligator snapped at their dog, according to the Daily Times.

The dog’s owner followed the alligator as it swam toward Yeadon and Darby until the Pennsylvania Game Commission could arrive.

Someone wearing a mask jumped in the water, grabbed the alligator, and ran toward Yeadon with it, according to Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt.

Police assume the person was the alligator’s owner.

The Philadelphia region is seeing more alligators and alligator rescues in recent months.

In April, an 8-foot alligator named Big Mack was rescued from a North Philadelphia row home by ACCT Philly.

A month before, a caiman, a different reptile, was spotted by a Delaware County fisherman at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. 

The caiman was taken to ACCT Philly, but later euthanized by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission when no home could be found for the reptile. 

Read more about an alligator in Darby Creek at CBS 3 Philadelphia and the Daily Times.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in July 2023.