Two large alligators have been removed from a home in York Region.

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) was called to a property in Stouffville after complaints from neighbours about the reptiles which are about a metre-and-a-half long.

The alligators were apparently being kept as family pets in a backyard shed.

“It was locked, it had a deadbolt on it so they were confined to there,” OSPCA’s Brad Dewar said. “It seemed very, very secure.”

There has been no word on how long the alligators had been housed in the shed but officials say the reptiles looked healthy and well taken care of.

The animals were transferred to Hamilton and will eventually be housed at a reptile zoo in Ottawa before possibly being shipped to Europe.

The region has a bylaw banning the ownership of alligators.

There has been no word on of the owners of the reptiles will be charged.