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People on social media ask why an alligator was killed when, in many cases, it doesn’t seem to pose a significant danger.

A nuisance alligator is defined as one that is at least 4 feet in length and believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.

There are thousands of "nuisance alligators" killed each year in Florida. A nuisance alligator trapper was contacted to contain a Florida alligator living in a backyard pond.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission data, 184,047 nuisance alligators have been killed from 1997-2021. That is about 57% of all permits.

If a trapper catches an alligator smaller than 4 feet, they can release it. But if it is larger than 4 feet, the trapper can either kill the gator or sell it to an alligator farm, animal exhibit or zoo, Sapp said.