Police in Ste-Julie have launched an investigation after a report that a small child was bitten by the alligator that made headlines after it was video-recorded crossing a street in Montreal’s Villeray district last December.
A complaint was filed with police on Monday alleging the biting incident occurred at the home of the girl’s family on Saturday, said police spokesperson Jean-Luc Tremblay. He added that the child’s injuries were reportedly minor and did not require hospitalization.
The alligator is part of a travelling exhibit used to teach audiences about reptiles and its stroll across Jarry St. in Montreal on Dec. 15 occurred after it inadvertently wandered away from its handlers.
Tremblay said his department’s involvement was to determine whether the Criminal Code had been violated. Police are working with city authorities and Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks on the investigation.