BBC reports:
Italian police say they have seized a crocodile they believe was used by a suspected mafia boss to terrorise people into paying protection money.
The reptile was 1.7m (5.5ft) long and weighed 40kg (88lb). It was found during a weapons search at the man’s home in the southern town of Caserta.
It was kept on the terrace and fed live rabbits in full view of neighbouring homes, police said.
The mafia suspect was charged with illegal animal possession.
A crocodile is more effective than a pistol? That sounds hard to believe. The sight of a gun would frighten me far more than the sight of a crocodile.
Image by 13Bobby.
That’s because you’re from Africa, Charles.
Like Ira says in Romancing the Stone – look at those snappahs!
The thought of having my arm ripped off and devoured in front of me scares me more than a quick shot to the head.
Then again, I’ve grown pretty fond of my arms over the years, so I might be biased. It’s not that I don’t like my head, it’s just that it’s hard to see from my perspective.
“Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot.”
I am smitten with the idea of a mafia crocodile in an upright-bass case.
This is an utterly perfect Mudede post.
I’d rather be shot.
It’s Italy. I suspect it’s much easier to get a reptile than a gun.