MONTICELLO (AP) – In the dead of winter, the northern Maine town of Monticello may be among the last places anyone would expect to find an alligator.

The Maine Warden Service said it confiscated a 3-foot alligator this week after its owner, 20-year-old Justin Barry, said he didn’t have a permit for it.

Wardens secured the alligator’s mouth and transported it to an animal rescue facility in Winslow. Warden Josh Smith said the alligator was angry at being removed from his terrarium but eventually calmed down.

Wardens visited Barry’s Route 1 home after receiving a tip from someone who saw pictures of the alligator on the Internet. It’s illegal to keep wildlife in captivity and to bring it into the state without a permit.

Barry was issued summonses and is scheduled to appear March 4 in Houlton District Court.