Police went in looking for drugs and came out a little surprised when they searched a Staunton home.

They found an alligator living in a makeshift pond in the basement of a home. The animal was taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Veterinarian Ariana Santamaria-Bouvier said the alligator was healthy overall, despite being aggressive and undersized. She also reminded people that exotic pets are illegal in Virginia.

"With any animal of that type, alligator or crocodile, there is always a safety issue for people. So, that is one of the reasons why those animals are illegal as a pet," says Santamaria-Bouvier.

The alligator will stay at the Wildlife Center for the next couple of days before being transferred to the Luray Zoo.