Alligator's Mutilated Body With Tail Cut Off Found, Manhunt For Killer Underway

A mutilated body of an alligator with its tail cut off was found in northern Texas. Authorities were trying to find the person responsible for the killing that took place Aug. 1.

Texas Game Wardens offered a $1,000 reward to anyone with information regarding the incident. Authorities said the incident took place at Lake Worth, 43 miles west of Dallas.

“An alligator was killed on or around Aug. 1 on Lake Worth near the mouth of the West Fork of the Trinity River,” Operation Game Thief Crime Stoppers said on Facebook. “[The] alligator was found dead and its tail removed.”

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, this year's alligator hunting season was between April 1 and June 30, suggesting that the reptile was illegally hunted.

“The illegal act occurred around Aug. 1,” it said. “Texas Game Wardens in Tarrant County are seeking information leading to the individual(s) responsible for this illegal act.”

After a photo was shared on social media, users said the alligator was poached. The theory was also speculated by Fox 4, stating that the tail may have been cut off for either edible meat or possibly for its skin.

“Looks like somebody needed some new gator skin boots or belt,” Felix Rodriguez commented on Facebook. Another user said: “They cut tail off, someone is eating gator tail." “Toughest meat on a gator,” John Roach, another user, commented.

“Waste of good meat. I would never kill a gator and only eat the tail,” Facebook user Jeff Pierce commented. “Legs get barbecued, ribs and back stripped for gumbo, jaw roast on bigger ones.”

Authorities said anyone with information about the alligator and its alleged attacker must call Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-792-4263.