A 5ft alligator has been found guarding a man's marijuana stash.
Authorities were stunned to find the huge beast - who is called Mr Teeth - when they turned up at Assif Mayar's house in Castro Valley, California to do a routine probation check.
Sergeant JD Nelson told KTVU.com: "We come across guard dogs like pit bulls quite frequently, but a guard alligator is very unusual.
"As soon as you get near it, the pleiglass area, the alligator gets agitated."
Mr Teeth – who was kept in a large tank – was taken to nearby Oakland Zoo by police, and the reptile was described as being in a "very sick" condition.