Police in Florida are used to dealing with gators, but those in Washington, D.C., not so much.

D.C. police posted an image to its Twitter account of a scaly discovery from a district home's basement Thursday, The Washington Post reported.

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Originally, they thought it was a gator, but in reality, it was a caiman.

The reptile, which measured about 5 feet, was found in a 4-foot long plastic storage container, WRC reported.

Police were responding to a home, where they found 12 dogs and what they said was dogfighting paraphernalia, The Post reported.

The caiman was taken to the Humane Rescue Alliance, WTOP reported.

The dogs were taken to a local vet for treatment after they were found to have scars and other signs that are consistent with dogfighting and neglect, WTOP reported.

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff