Seriously; I live in LA...this story of the alligator in a local park has been going on for some time.
Someone who owned it and has been arrested dropped it in the lake because it got too big for him.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1704971.html
Now the locals love it...they think it's great to some extent and the local govt is trying to catch it alive. They have failed twice.
Now...I grew up on the panhandle of Florida and have seen what an alligator, even a small one can do to a dog much less a small person.
They need to get a sharp shooter or three out there and watch for it to pop it's head out of the water and then shoot it dead.
I love animals and all and this one is totally innocent; the fellow who dumped him should be held financially and criminally responsible for the cleanup of his mess.
Rant complete.
Alligators are dangerous man.