The 8ft reptile lashed out after trappers tried to remove it from  Ocoee in Orlando, where it was seen walking from door to door. It managed to slap a cop with its snout after it was restrained by a Florida Fish and Wildlife trapper and loaded onto the bed of a truck, sending the man spinning to the ground. And the reptile wasn’t done, landing several more blows on two other men working to contain it with its lashing tail.

Although Florida is famous for its gators, the Ocoee residents don’t live near a body of water, and were surprised by how far it had wandered. Experts say the reptiles usually wander further when they are looking for a mate – or hungry and in search of a meal.