A Leucistic alligator has gone missing from a Sumter County home that was destroyed by a fire, believed to be arson.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire at about 8:30 p.m. Friday at SW 52nd Terr in Bushnell. Sumter County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and once the fire was extinguished it was determined to be a total loss. During a subsequent search of the burned building, a Leucistic alligator was discovered missing and believed stolen.
The victim said the Leucistic alligator was in the building at 11:30 a.m. that morning and was housed with 43 other reptiles. All of the other animals in the building were accounted for within the burned structure and found to be deceased. The deceased animals consisted of both alligators and crocodiles. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire which at this time appears to be arson. Based on items observed at the scene, it appears that the building was burglarized first and then set on fire after the theft of the rare alligator.
If anyone has information about this case, or contact is made with this animal or one or similar markings, contact Sumter County Sheriff’s Detective Chris Merritt at (352) 793- 2621 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477).