John Turney, a Del Tura, Fla. resident, no longer enters his garage without first looking through a small window. Why? Because he had to use a broom to ward off the alligator that attacked him in his garage.

This incident came two days after a 7-foot 7-inch alligator trashed against another front door in Bonita Springs. Encounters such as these are not uncommon in Southwest Florida at this time of year. Springtime means mating season for male alligators. The warmer weather makes the cold-blooded reptiles more active looking for new territories and potential mates.