Large pet crocodile removed from owner's rooftop garden

A Chongqing man stuck raising a full-grown crocodile was forced to call a local rescue center after quickly realizing that prehistoric reptiles don't make the friendliest of pets.

The owner, surnamed Fu, called animal rescuers on June 21 to pick up the 1.7-meter Siamese crocodile, a native of Southeast Asia, after raising it for nearly two weeks on his garden rooftop.

Fu complained he could not get along with the fierce animal, which took a total five men to carry up to his roof.

"The crocodile is over 1.5 meters long and about 4 years old," said Tu Renju, an expert at the Chongqing Crocodile Center. Tu reckoned the reptile was bred in captivity.

Fu said the croc was a present from a friend who purchased it while passing through Zunyi, Guizhou province.

As an animal lover and the owner of a gardening business, Fu thought a "small crocodile" would make a fine addition to his lush rooftop garden and 10-square meter pond.

"I thought it would be no more than half a meter long, so I didn't refuse," said Fu.

Fu said he had to arm himself with a long stick every time he went to check on the animal. The crocodile didn't take to the live carp he tried to feed it, said Fu.

It was when his 8-year-old daughter was scared to tears that Fu finally decided to call the crocodile center.

Tu said it is illegal to raise crocodiles in China without a permit.